English · Slang Candidate

oy vey

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Meaning · English

oh dear

Where it’s used: Used American English

Alternatively, some view "oy vey" as being entirely Yiddish (Judeo-German) in origin.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “oy vey” mean?

oh dear

Is “oy vey” formal or informal?

oy vey is generally slang.

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