oughta

English

Alternative forms

• (ought to): orter

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈɔːtə/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈɔtə/, [ˈɔɾə]
• (cot–caught merger) IPA^(key): /ˈɑtə/, [ˈɑɾə]

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɔːtə

Contraction

oughta

1. (colloquial or dialectal) Contraction of ought to.

   There oughta be a law against that.

   • 1995, “You Oughta Know”, in Jagged Little Pill, performed by Alanis Morissette:

     It's not fair to deny me / Of the cross I bear that you gave to me / You, you, you oughta know

2. (colloquial or dialectal) Contraction of ought to have.

   You oughta been here an hour ago.

See also

• to (particle)

Anagrams

• Ghouta