ow

Hurt noise, brief

Ouch and ow are both ways of spelling the sound that people make to express the feeling of pain.

People also sometimes say ow to show that they understand someone else’s experience as painful.

exclamation

ouch

Pain interjection

yikesStartled dismay exclamation
yowExclamation of pain
oofGrunt of discomfort

eek · ay · argh · agh · yeow · owie · crikey · blimey · gah · darn

pain

ouch

Pain interjection

achePersistent dull discomfort
throbBeat with intensity
stingSharp wound from insect

smart · twinge · soreness · tenderness · burning · sharp · shooting · throbbing · stabbing · cramp

injury

cut

Severance or reduction

scrapeRub harshly against
bruiseDiscolored tissue injury
burnDamage by heat

bump · scratch · stub · splinter · bite · sting · pinch · nick · gash · blister

surprise

yikes

Startled dismay exclamation

whoaCommand to stop
uh-ohDismay interjection
oopsMinor blunder interjection

whoops · startle · jolt · shock · wince · flinch · recoil · gasp · cringe · jump

Categories

exclamationsoh, yes, no, wow, hey
vocal reactionsoops, whoops, yikes, eek, oh no
pain soundsouch, oww, owie, owwie, yow
letter combossh, th, ph, oo, oi
baby talkmama, dada, papa, mommy, daddy
lamentslamentation, wailing, keen, keening, lament

Opposites

expressed sensation

Vocalized satisfaction

ooh · mmm · aah · oh yeah · yum

emotional valence of exclamation

Exclamation of triumph

woohoo · hooray · wheee · yes · yippee

Phrases

mind your own businessStop meddling in others' affairs
night owlOne who stays late
own upAcknowledge one's wrongdoing
my own
on one's ownWithout help or company
dog ownerOne who keeps canines

Family

own, owner, owned, owl, owed, owe, disown, fowl, owing

Familiarity: Top 20,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G