ow

See also: ów, -ow, 'ow, and -ów

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈaʊ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

  Rhymes: -aʊ

• Homophone: our (some dialects)

Interjection

ow

1. Synonym of ouch
2. (music) Used for emotional emphasis.
   • 1970, Free (band), All Right Now (song)

     Now don't you wait or hesitate / Let's move before they raise the parking rate, ow!

   • 1987, Michael Jackson, Smooth Criminal (song)

     Then you ran into the bedroom / You were struck down / It was your doom, Annie / Ow!

Usage notes

In everyday colloquial (spoken or written) usage, the sound may be lengthened, such as in the form oww, usually to indicate an increase in pain or distress.

Synonyms

• oww
• ouch
• owie

Anagrams

• W. O., W.O., WO, Wo, w/o, wo

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Chinook Jargon

Noun

ow

1. younger brother

Coordinate terms

• (with regards to gender): ats
• (with regards to age): kahpo

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Middle English

Pronoun

ow

1. Alternative form of yow

References

• “you, (pron.)” in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 18 May 2018.