100+ Words Related to August

August 21, 2025

From zodiac signs and ancient Roman history to quirky awareness days, August has a language of its own. Here are some of the words most often tied to the eighth month of the year and what they represent.

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1. Leo

Leos rule the sky until August 22. This sign, represented by the lion, has long been tied to theater, leadership, and creativity. In ancient Egypt, the appearance of the Leo constellation lined up with the flooding of the Nile, which made it a sign of abundance as well as strength.

2. Virgo

Virgo season kicks off on August 23. Represented by the maiden, Virgo is linked to agriculture and harvest time, as this constellation shows up when crops are traditionally collected.

People see Virgos as practical, detail-focused, and usually dedicated to helping others, all traits that align perfectly with the transition into autumn.

3. Augustus

The month’s very name is political history. Augustus Caesar, the first emperor of Rome, renamed Sextilis (the sixth month in the primitive Roman calendar) after himself in 8 BCE.

He chose it not because he was vain, but because several of his greatest victories, including the conquest of Egypt, happened during this month. His title “Augustus” itself meant “the revered one,” giving the month an imperial weight.

4. Peridot

The vivid green peridot is one of August’s birthstones. Ancient Egyptians mined it on an island in the Red Sea and believed it carried the warmth of the sun. Later, Crusaders brought it back to Europe, where it was set into church treasures.

If you’ve ever seen one in sunlight, you’ll know why it’s nicknamed the “evening emerald.”

5. Poppy

One of August’s birth flowers, the poppy carries different meanings across cultures.

For instance, in the U.S. and Europe, red poppies often symbolize remembrance of soldiers lost in war. But, in classical mythology, they were associated with sleep and dreams due to the sedative properties of the plant.

In August, they stand for imagination and the fleeting nature of summer.

6. Dog Days of Summer

The “dog days” were originally associated with the rising of Sirius, the Dog Star, which appears in the sky with the sun in late July and early August.

Ancient Romans believed that this period brought fever, drought, and discomfort. Today, you probably just feel it as those sticky, heat-soaked afternoons when everything slows down.

7. Sextilis

Before Augustus put his stamp on it, the month was known as Sextilis, the sixth month of Rome’s early calendar. Oddly, it stayed “the sixth” even after January and February were added to the front, making it the eighth month.

8. Sardonyx

Sardonyx, another August birthstone, has striking bands of red, brown, and white.

The Romans wore sardonyx rings engraved with gods and heroes, believing it gave them courage in battle. However, in the Middle Ages, the stone was thought to calm arguments and sharpen public speaking skills.

9. Gladiolus

The gladiolus, also called the “sword lily,” shoots up in dramatic spikes. Roman gladiators sometimes received the flower after victories, reinforcing its connection with strength and honor.

In Victorian flower language, gifting a gladiolus meant “you pierce my heart,” a romantic nod to its sword-like shape.

10. National Peach Month

Since peaches reach peak production in August, the U.S. officially designated August as National Peach Month in 1982. Georgia might claim the spotlight, but states like California and South Carolina also produce it.

For many families, August means roadside stands, peach ice cream, and canning jars lined up in the kitchen.

11. International Left-Handers Day

On August 13, left-handers finally get a little recognition. About 10% of the population favors their left hand, and throughout history, they’ve been treated with suspicion, humor, or admiration.

The day highlights both the awkwardness of right-hand–designed tools and the notable lefties who changed the world, from Leonardo da Vinci to Barack Obama.

12. National Dog Day

August 26 celebrates man’s best friend! It began in 2004 as a way to encourage adoptions, and it stuck, since dogs (and all pets, really) shape our daily lives—guardians, helpers, companions, and sometimes even co-workers.

If you share your home with a dog, you’ve probably already got this date circled on the calendar.

13. National Pickleball Day

Pickleball, invented in 1965, has exploded in the last decade, and August 8 became its official day. Why is it popular anyway? Well, part of the appeal is its accessibility: the court is smaller than a tennis court, the paddles are lightweight, and the rules are easy to learn.

14. International Cat Day

International Cat Day, held on August 8, began in 2002 as an initiative by the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Of course, beyond the memes and photos, the day focuses on cat welfare worldwide. It also highlights the ancient relationship between humans and cats, stretching back to Egyptian temples and medieval farmsteads.

15. Perseids Meteor Shower

Are there any meteor showers in August? Well, of course, there is, and it’s the Perseids meteor shower. So, what makes it special? Well, as they streak through the sky, they leave ‘wakes’ of light and color.

Ancient observers thought of the streaks as ‘tears of St. Lawrence,’ since they occur near his feast day. The modern explanation? Modern astronomy traces them to Earth passing through the debris of the comet Swift-Tuttle.