“Words and emotions are simple currencies. If we inflate them, they lose their value, just like money. They begin to mean nothing. Use ‘beautiful’ to describe a sandwich and the word means nothing. Since the war, there is no more room for inflated language. Words and feelings are small now—clear and precise. Humble like dreams.”
—Jess Walter, Beautiful Ruins
Raisa Bruner 
The noun has power to determine the power of the adjective. If you give directions and the asker says, “Awesome, thanks”, that is a different degree of awe from a great waterfall which is awesome.