adj

august

aw-GUHST

adj

Deeply respected and impressive; dignified and grand.

"She addressed the august gathering of scientists with quiet confidence."

name

The eighth month of the year, between July and September.

"They're getting married in August."

How to Use August

Learner’s notes

In 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).

Word Forms

auguster comparative, more august comparative, augusted past tense, Augusts plural, augusts singular, augustest superlative, most august superlative

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She addressed the _____ gathering of scientists with quiet confidence.

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.