Aww versus Awe

What is the Difference Between Aww and Awe?


When to Use Awe

Awe is a noun that means wonder or amazement. A person might look in awe at a beautiful sunset, for instance, or at an elegant example of mid-century modern architecture.

Awe is one of the components of the adjective awestruck, which means experiencing awe, and the hyphenated compound awe-inspiring, which describes something that causes people to experience awe.

Awe can also be a verb, where it means to inspire wonder or amazement.

For example,

  • The Grand Canyon regularly awes visitors with its stunning vistas and sheer cliffs.

    When to Use Aww

    Aww could be considered an overly enthusiastic spelling of aw, which is an exclamation of pity, adulation, or annoyance. One might say aw when playing with a cute puppy, or when commiserating with a friend who has dropped an ice cream cone.

    Aw is an onomatopoeia of the sound many humans make when experiencing these situations.


    Summary

    Is it aww or awe? In the vast majority of cases, aw is used over aww. That said, aw and awe are different words with different uses.

    Aw is an expression of mild but honest emotion, like pity, annoyance, or adulation.

    Awe is sometimes a noun that means amazement or wonder, and sometimes a verb that means to engender feelings of amazement or wonder.

    They are never interchangeable.


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