august
aw-GUHST
August (adj) means Deeply respected and impressive; dignified and grand. Example: “The august hall was lined with portraits of past judges and scholars.”
adj
1
Deeply respected and impressive; dignified and grand.
"The august hall was lined with portraits of past judges and scholars."
"Visitors spoke in whispers as they entered the august cathedral."
"She addressed the august gathering of scientists with quiet confidence."
name
1
The eighth month of the year, between July and September.
"Trump’s July 8 announcement of a 50% tariff on copper imports beginning August 1 sent prices surging 13% in one day, up to a record high of $5.69 per pound."
— John Towfighi, Copper prices have surged to record highs — and they could jump higher. Here’s why (2025)
"They're getting married in August."
How to use august
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs an adjective, "august" means dignified and impressive; as a name, it is the month of August.
Common mistake
When it means "dignified," the stress falls on the second syllable (au-GUST); the month name is stressed on the first (AU-gust).
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- augusts
- Past tense
- augusted
- Comparative
- auguster, more august
- Superlative
- augustest, most august
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ hall was lined with portraits of past judges and scholars.
Etymology
From Latin augustus, "majestic, venerable," from augere, "to increase, enlarge." The month was named after the Roman emperor Augustus, whose own name came from this same root word.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “august” mean?
The word “august” means deeply respected and impressive; dignified and grand. In plain terms, as an adjective, "august" means dignified and impressive; as a name, it is the month of August.
How do you pronounce “august”?
“August” is pronounced aw-GUHST (/ɔˈɡʌst/ in IPA).
How do you use “august” in a sentence?
Here is “august” used in a sentence: “She addressed the august gathering of scientists with quiet confidence.”
What part of speech is “august”?
Depending on how it is used, “august” can be an adjective and a name.
Where does the word “august” come from?
The word “august” comes from Latin. From Latin augustus, "majestic, venerable," from augere, "to increase, enlarge." The month was named after the Roman emperor Augustus, whose own name came from this same root word.
Is “august” a common word?
“August” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “august” have?
“August” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: deeply respected and impressive; dignified and grand.
What is the difference between august the adjective and August the month?
They are spelled alike but differ in sound and sense. The adjective august (stressed on the second syllable, aw-GUST) means dignified and impressive. The month August (stressed on the first, AW-gust) is the eighth month, named after the Roman emperor Augustus. Pronunciation and context keep the two apart.
How do you use august in a sentence?
It describes people or institutions that command deep respect. You might speak of "an august assembly of scholars," "the august halls of parliament," or "her august presence." It suits formal, admiring contexts and sounds out of place describing anything ordinary, so writers reserve it for the genuinely dignified.
Is august a formal word?
Yes, distinctly so. August belongs to formal and literary English and carries an air of ceremony. In everyday speech people are more likely to say respected, grand, or distinguished. Choosing august signals reverence and a certain grandeur, which is why it often appears alongside institutions, titles, and venerable figures.
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