Agape means a deep, selfless, and unconditional kind of love.
The word comes from ancient Greek and is especially associated with Christian writing, where it describes a love based on care, goodwill, and commitment rather than attraction or personal gain.
For example, “agape love” can describe loving someone and seeking their well-being even when you expect nothing in return.
The word can also have a completely different meaning in English: agape can mean “wide open,” especially with the mouth open. For example, “He stood there, mouth agape” means he stood there with his mouth open, usually because he was surprised or shocked.
So, the meaning of agape depends on how it is being used.
In discussions about love, religion, or Greek philosophy, it usually refers to selfless love.
In phrases such as “mouth agape,” it means open-mouthed
Quick Answer
Agape usually means a deep, selfless, and unconditional form of love. The word comes from ancient Greek and is often used in Christian contexts to describe generous love and goodwill. In English, agape can also mean “wide open,” as in “mouth agape,” meaning someone has their mouth open in surprise.
Quick Meaning Table
| Term | Main Meaning |
| Agape | Selfless, deep, unconditional love |
| Greek meaning | A form of love or affection; context matters |
| Other English meaning | Wide open, especially the mouth |
| Pronunciation | uh-GAH-pay for love; uh-GAHP for “open” |
| Part of speech | Noun or adjective/adverbial use, depending on meaning |
| Example | “She showed agape love.” |
What Does Agape Mean?
Agape has two important meanings in English.
The first is a form of deep, selfless love. This is the meaning most often intended when people talk about agape love.
The second is an English adjective meaning wide open.
For example:
“He stood there with his mouth agape.”
This means:
“He stood there with his mouth wide open.”
These two meanings are pronounced differently, so context is important.
Agape Meaning in Simple Words
When talking about love, agape means:
Loving someone deeply and selflessly, with genuine concern for their well-being.
It is often described as love that does not depend on receiving something in return.
For example:
“She showed agape love by caring for others without expecting anything back.”
When used in “mouth agape,” however, agape simply means:
wide open.
Different Meanings of Agape
1. Agape as Selfless Love
This is the best-known meaning in religious and philosophical discussions.
Agape describes love that emphasizes:
- Care
- Goodwill
- Compassion
- Giving
- Commitment
- Concern for others
It is often contrasted with love based mainly on attraction, desire, or personal benefit.
2. Agape in Christianity
In Christian writing and teaching, agape is commonly used to describe a form of selfless, generous love.
It is often associated with God’s love and with the idea that people should show love and goodwill toward others.
For example:
“The passage teaches the importance of agape love.”
The phrase refers to love that is generous and focused on the good of others.
3. Agape Meaning “Wide Open”
There is another English word spelled agape.
“She stared at him, mouth agape.”
Here, agape means wide open.
This meaning is usually associated with someone’s mouth being open because of:
- Surprise
- Shock
- Amazement
- Confusion
Agape Meaning in Texting
Agape is not common texting slang.
If someone uses agape in a text about relationships, religion, or spirituality, they may mean selfless or unconditional love.
For example:
“I want our relationship to have more agape.”
This could mean the person wants a relationship based on generosity, care, and selfless love.
If someone writes:
“I just stood there, mouth agape.”
they mean they were extremely surprised.
Agape Meaning on Social Media
On social media, agape most often appears in posts about:
- Love
- Christianity
- Faith
- Spirituality
- Relationships
- Philosophy
- Personal growth
You may see phrases such as:
“Choose agape.”
or:
“Agape love is selfless love.”
The word can also appear in captions describing shock or amazement, especially in the phrase “mouth agape.”
There is no separate universal social media meaning for the word.
How to Pronounce Agape
The two meanings have different pronunciations.
Agape meaning love
uh-GAH-pay
Example:
“Agape love.”
Agape meaning wide open
uh-GAHP
Example:
“His mouth was agape.”
So, the spelling is the same, but the pronunciation and meaning change.
Origin of Agape
The love-related agape comes from ancient Greek agápē, a noun associated with love, affection, and goodwill.
The word became especially important in Christian Greek writing and later Christian theology.
The “wide open” agape is a separate English word. It comes from a different linguistic source and should not be confused with the Greek word for love.
How to Use Agape in a Sentence
Agape meaning love
- She believes agape love means caring for others without expecting anything in return.
- The church teaches the importance of agape love.
- He tried to show agape toward everyone he met.
- Their relationship was built on trust, compassion, and agape.
- Agape is often described as selfless love.
Agape meaning wide open
- He stood there with his mouth agape.
- She stared at the enormous building, mouth agape.
- The children watched the magician with their mouths agape.
- He sat there, eyes wide and mouth agape.
- Everyone looked on with their mouths agape after the announcement.
Conversation Examples
Conversation 1: Love
Alex: What does agape love mean?
Sam: It’s a kind of selfless love.
Alex: So it’s about caring for someone without expecting something back?
Sam: Exactly.
Conversation 2: Wide Open
Mia: Why was everyone staring at him?
Lena: They were standing there with their mouths agape.
Mia: Were they surprised?
Lena: Very surprised!
Agape vs. Eros
These words are sometimes compared in discussions of Greek ideas about love.
Agape
Often describes selfless, generous, or unconditional love.
Eros
Is associated with romantic or sexual love and desire.
These terms describe different aspects of love and should not be treated as exact opposites.
Agape vs. Philia
Agape
Often emphasizes selfless love, goodwill, and care.
Philia
Often refers to friendship, affection, or brotherly love.
For example, a close friendship can involve philia, while selfless concern for another person can be described as agape.
Agape vs. Unconditional Love
Agape and unconditional love are closely related concepts, especially in Christian discussions.
However, they are not always exact synonyms.
Unconditional love describes love that does not depend on certain conditions being met.
Agape is a broader concept of generous or selfless love and goodwill, particularly in Christian usage.
Synonyms and Similar Words
When agape means selfless love, related words include:
- Selfless love
- Unconditional love
- Compassion
- Goodwill
- Charity
- Devotion
- Benevolence
- Caring
These words are related but are not perfect synonyms.
When agape means “wide open,” similar expressions include:
- Wide open
- Open-mouthed
- Gaping
- Ajar — in some contexts, though usually referring to doors or openings
Common Confusions
Is Agape a Greek Word?
The love-related word agape comes from ancient Greek. English also has a separate word agape meaning “wide open.”
Is Agape the Same as Unconditional Love?
They are closely related, but not always identical. Agape often emphasizes selfless love and goodwill, especially in Christian contexts.
Is Agape Only a Christian Word?
No. The word has Greek origins and is also discussed in philosophy, religious studies, and broader discussions about love.
Why Is “Mouth Agape” Pronounced Differently?
Because “agape” meaning wide open has a different origin from the Greek word for love. As a result, the pronunciation differs.
What Does “Mouth Agape” Mean?
“Mouth agape” means the mouth is wide open, usually because someone is shocked, surprised, or amazed.
Is Agape Offensive?
No. Agape is not an offensive word.
When it refers to love, it is generally a positive and respectful term. When it means “wide open,” as in “mouth agape,” it is simply descriptive.
FAQs
1. What does agape mean?
Agape usually means a deep, selfless form of love. It is especially common in Christian discussions, where it can describe generous love and concern for others. The English word agape can also mean “wide open.”
2. What does agape mean in the Bible?
In Christian discussions, agape is commonly used to describe selfless and generous love. It is often associated with God’s love and the call to love others. The exact interpretation can vary between theological traditions.
3. What is agape love?
Agape love is generally described as selfless, generous, and deeply caring love. It focuses on the well-being of another person rather than simply personal desire or what someone can receive in return.
4. Is agape the same as unconditional love?
They are closely related, but they are not always exact synonyms. Agape often emphasizes selfless love and goodwill, while unconditional love specifically emphasizes love that does not depend on conditions.
5. How do you pronounce agape?
There are two common pronunciations because there are two different words. Agape meaning love is commonly pronounced “uh-GAH-pay.” Agape meaning wide open is commonly pronounced “uh-GAHP.”
6. What does “mouth agape” mean?
“Mouth agape” means having your mouth wide open, usually because of surprise, shock, or amazement. For example, “He stood there with his mouth agape” means he stood there with his mouth open in surprise.
7. What is the opposite of agape love?
There is no single perfect opposite. Depending on the context, selfishness, indifference, hatred, or lack of compassion could contrast with the idea of agape love.
8. What is the difference between agape and eros?
Agape is commonly associated with selfless, generous love, while eros is associated with romantic or sexual desire. The terms come from different Greek concepts of love and are often discussed together when comparing types of love.
9. What is the difference between agape and philia?
Agape is commonly associated with selfless love and goodwill, while philia is generally associated with friendship, affection, or close companionship. Both describe forms of positive human connection.
10. Can agape be used in everyday English?
Yes, but the love-related word is relatively specialized. You are more likely to encounter it in religious, philosophical, spiritual, or literary discussions than in ordinary conversation.
Conclusion:
Agape has two main meanings in English.
When discussing love, it refers to a deep, selfless, and generous form of love, especially in Christian contexts.
But in the phrase “mouth agape,” it means wide open, usually because of surprise or shock.
These meanings come from different linguistic sources and have different pronunciations.
If you see the word agape, look at the surrounding sentence to determine which meaning is intended.
Olivia Bennett specializes in creating beginner-friendly educational content that makes learning English simple and enjoyable. She writes comprehensive articles covering word meanings, pronunciation, example sentences, and vocabulary improvement techniques.