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 (“cry of pain”)
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.

Derived terms

• 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.