agape

UK: 'agape': /əˈɡeɪp/; 'Agape': /ˈæɡəpɪ/

US: /əˈgeɪp, əˈgæp/

US: 'agape': (ə gāp′, ə gap′); 'Agape': (ä gä′pā, ä′gə pā′, ag′ə-)

Inflections of 'agape' (n):

agapae

npl

agapai

npl

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

a•gape¹ /əˈgeɪp, əˈgæp/   adv. 

1. with the mouth wide open, as in wonder:
   stood there agape at the news.

adj. [after a noun]

2. wide open:
   stood with his mouth agape.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

a•gape¹  (ə gāp′, ə gap′), adv., adj. 

1. with the mouth wide open, as in wonder, surprise, or eagerness:
   We stood there agape at the splendor.
2. wide open:
   his mouth agape.

• a-¹ + gape 1660–70

a•ga•pe²  (ä gä′pā, ä′gə pā′, ag′ə-), n., pl. -pae (-pī, -pī′, -pē′), -pai 

(-pī, -pī′) for 3.
1. the love of God or Christ for humankind.
2. Theology the love of Christians for other persons, corresponding to the love of God for humankind.
3. unselfish love of one person for another without sexual implications;
   brotherly love.
4. See love feast (defs. 1, 2).
• Greek agápē love
• 1600–10

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

agape / əˈɡeɪp/ adjective (postpositive)

1. (esp of the mouth) wide open
2. very surprised, expectant, or eager, esp as indicated by a wide open mouth

Etymology: 17th Century: a-² + gape

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Agape / ˈæɡəpɪ/ noun

1. Christian love, esp as contrasted with erotic love; charity
2. a communal meal in the early Church taken in commemoration of the Last Supper; love feast

Etymology: 17th Century: Greek agapē love