Meaning: great

In the old days, awesome was a word reserved for the truly powerful, fear-inducing and sublime: the view from a mountaintop, the sea during a storm, the voice of God emanating from a burning bush. You know, massive, awe-inspiring things that “put the fear of God in ya.” But awesome has expanded in the American lexicon to include the less awe-inspiring, like a hit single, a hamburger, some new sneakers… if you’re even just mildly excited about something, it can be awesome:

• “I saw the new Star Wars in IMAX over the weekend.”
• “Awesome. Did you like it?”
• “Oh yeah, it was awesome. Hey, can I get a sip of your iced tea?”
• “Sure.”
• “Awesome, thanks.”