ow
/ˈaʊ/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: ows
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Synonym of ouch (“cry of pain”).
Interjection
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Used for emotional emphasis.
Interjection
Examples
Now don't you wait or hesitate / Let's move before they raise the parking rate, ow!
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Meaning · English
An uttering of an 'ow'.
Noun
Examples
Improvising a stretcher from a cupboard door, they levered Mrs Dibble on to it and got her upstairs to "Hoos!" and "Ows!" of anguish, and laid her on the bed, where Rita administered another stiff dose of gin.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “ow” mean?
Synonym of ouch (“cry of pain”).
Is “ow” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.