august

¹

[aw-guhst]

adjective

1. inspiring reverence or admiration; of supreme dignity or grandeur; majestic.

   an august performance of a religious drama.

2. venerable; eminent.

   an august personage.

August

²

[aw-guhst]

noun

1. the eighth month of the year, containing 31 days. Aug.

2. a first name, form of Augustus.

august

¹

/ ɔːˈɡʌst /

adjective

1. dignified or imposing

   an august presence

2. of noble birth or high rank

   an august lineage

August

²

/ ˈɔːɡəst /

noun

1. the eighth month of the year, consisting of 31 days

Other Word Forms

• augustly adverb
• augustness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of august¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from French, Middle French auguste, from Latin augustus “sacred, grand,” akin to augēre “to increase” and augur ¹ ( def. ); eke ¹

Origin of august²

before 1100; Middle English < Latin Augustus (named after Augustus. ); replacing Old English Agustus < Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of august¹

C17: from Latin augustus; related to augēre to increase

Origin of august²

Old English, from Latin, named after the emperor _Augustus

Example Sentences

Jones had announced she was training for the 2023 New York City Marathon in August of that year, then crossed the finish line on Nov. 5, 2023.

From Los Angeles Times

On 24 August, Ms Wilkins was found unresponsive in High Road, Tottenham, the force said.

From BBC

In footage dated 28 August, he is filmed in a car in what he says is Gaza City.

From BBC

The U.S. added just 22,000 jobs in August, according to data from the report.

From Salon

The photos show that dozens of buildings in the city were levelled between August and September.

From BBC

When To Use

What is August?

August is the eighth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It has 31 days and is between July and September.In the Northern Hemisphere August is known as a middle month of the summer season. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is a middle month of the winter season.Among the holidays that happen in August are several independence days. August 1 is Benin’s and Switzterland’s, August 13 is the Central African Republic’s, and August 24 is Ukraine’s, to name just a few.As an adjective, august describes something or someone who is majestic or who inspires admiration, as in Playing the part of the queen, Pramila wore an august crown that could be seen from the back row.Example: I get the back-to-school blues as soon as August begins.