1 agape | Definition of agape
\ ə-ˈgāp also -ˈgap How to pronounce agape (audio) \

Definition of agape

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : wide open : gaping with mouth agape
2 : being in a state of wonder stood agape before the gothic cathedral

agape

noun
aga·​pe | \ ä-ˈgä-(ˌ)pā How to pronounce agape (audio) , ˈä-gə-ˌpā\

Definition of agape (Entry 2 of 2)

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Synonyms for agape

Synonyms: Adjective or adverb

agog, anticipant, anticipatory, expectant

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Examples of agape in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective or adverb

The residents of Passy, one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Paris, stood agape and apart and afraid. Christopher Ketcham, Harper's magazine, "A Play with No End," 22 July 2019 The father of three shared a photo of himself to social media in which his mouth was agape and his eyes wide open. Rasha Ali, USA TODAY, "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson avoids putting together his daughter's Barbie house and we get it," 18 June 2019 Some stretch downward, jaws agape; these are gargoyles, who vomit out the runoff of the rain (above). Bruce Dale, National Geographic, "Adored, neglected, and restored: A 1968 Nat Geo feature explored Notre Dame," 17 Apr. 2019 Last week, or maybe the week before (the days fly by so fast), reporters were all agape with surprise that the electron was round. Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Physicists report electron is round—what does that mean?," 7 Nov. 2018 The mouth-agape moment captured during the awards show broadcast quickly became a gif, circulating through the Twitter-verse. Megan Decker, Harper's BAZAAR, "Jennifer Garner Just Responded to Her Viral Oscars Meme in the Most Hilarious Way," 6 Mar. 2018 Newton’s law: Newton defied physics and redeemed himself during an inconsistent senior year with the game winner that left fans’ jaws agape and him at the bottom of a pile of teammates. Linda Robertson, miamiherald, "Miami stuns North Carolina as Newton’s 35-foot shot beats the buzzer and the Tar Heels | Miami Herald," 28 Feb. 2018 His mouth was agape and like, 'Now, wait a minute, wait a minute,' and this cop put a billy club under his chin and started marching him. Leor Galil, Chicago Reader, "Archive Dive / Music What caused the melee outside a Public Enemy and Sonic Youth show at the Aragon in 1990?," 23 Feb. 2018 The shell, however, is always somewhat agape, and the animal is visible all around except at the hinge. David Berger, The Seattle Times, "Love at low tide: We’re still digging those delicious razor clams," 25 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'agape.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of agape

Adjective or adverb

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for agape

Adjective or adverb

a- entry 1 + gape entry 1

Noun

borrowed from Late Latin agapē, borrowed from Greek agápē "brotherly love," back-formation from agapân "to regard with affection, be fond of, be contented (with)" or agapázein "to welcome warmly," perhaps from a base *aga-pā- "lavish protection, attention or affection (on)," literally, "protect greatly," going back to Indo-European *m̥ǵh2- "large, great" + *peh2- "protect" — more at much entry 1, fur entry 1

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More Definitions for agape

agape

adjective
\ ə-ˈgāp How to pronounce agape (audio) \

Kids Definition of agape

: having the mouth open in wonder, surprise, or shock He stood there with mouth agape.

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More from Merriam-Webster on agape

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with agape

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for agape

Spanish Central: Translation of agape

Nglish: Translation of agape for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about agape