august

adjective au·gust \ȯ-ˈgəst, ˈȯ-(ˌ)gəst\

: having a formal and impressive quality

Full Definition of AUGUST

: marked by majestic dignity or grandeur <her august lineage>

— au·gust·ly adverb

— au·gust·ness \ȯ-ˈgəs(t)-nəs, ˈȯ-(ˌ)gəs(t)-\ noun

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Origin of AUGUST

Latin augustus; akin to Latin augur

First Known Use: 1581

Related to AUGUST

Synonyms: dignified, distingué, distinguished, imposing, portly, solemn, staid, stately

Antonyms: flighty, frivolous, giddy, goofy, silly, undignified

Rhymes with AUGUST

adjust, adust, blind trust, bloodlust, brain trust, combust, degust, disgust, distrust, encrust, entrust, in trust, leaf rust, mistrust, moondust, piecrust, robust, sawdust, stardust, unjust, upthrust

August

noun Au·gust \ˈȯ-gəst\

: the eighth month of the year

Full Definition of AUGUST

: the eighth month of the Gregorian calendar

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Origin of AUGUST

Middle English, from Old English, from Latin Augustus, from Augustus Caesar

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Calendar Terms

antedate, estival, gloaming, luster, sesquicentennial

AUGUST Defined for Kids

august

adjective au·gust \ȯ-ˈgəst\

Definition of AUGUST for Kids

: being grand and noble : majestic <an august university>

August

noun Au·gust \ˈȯ-gəst\

Definition of AUGUST for Kids

: the eighth month of the year

Word History of AUGUST

The first Roman calendar began the year with March. The sixth month was the one we now know as August. The first Latin name given to this month was Sextilis, derived from sextus, “sixth.” The Romans renamed the month after the first Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus, who first took power on August 19, 43 B.C. Hence the English word August came from the emperor's Latin name, which means literally “worthy of respect.”

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "august"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "august"

Nglish: Translation of "august" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "august" for Arabic speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "august"

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