Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

exclamation

noun ex·cla·ma·tion \ ˌek-sklə-ˈmā-shən \
|Updated on: 21 Jul 2018

Definition of exclamation

1 : a sharp or sudden utterance
2 : vehement expression of protest or complaint

See exclamation defined for English-language learners

See exclamation defined for kids

Examples of exclamation in a Sentence

  1. Her unexpected announcement caused a few exclamations of surprise.

  2. the good news was greeted with a chorus of joyous exclamations

Recent Examples of exclamation from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exclamation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of exclamation

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

exclamation Synonyms

Synonyms

cry, ejaculation, interjection;

Related Words

aah (also ah), ooh;

holler, hoot, howl, shout, whoop, yell, yelp, yowl;

scream, screech, shriek, squall, squeak, squeal;

Phrases Related to EXCLAMATION

Related Phrases

EXCLAMATION Defined for English Language Learners

exclamation

noun

Definition of exclamation for English Language Learners

  • : a sharp or sudden cry : a word, phrase, or sound that expresses a strong emotion

EXCLAMATION Defined for Kids

exclamation

noun ex·cla·ma·tion \ ˌek-sklə-ˈmā-shən \

Definition of exclamation for Students

: a sharp or sudden cry or expression of strong feeling

Learn More about exclamation

  1. See words that rhyme with exclamation Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for exclamation Spanish Central: Translation of exclamation Nglish: Translation of exclamation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of exclamation for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up exclamation? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

cerulean

play

resembling the blue of the sky

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  2. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  3. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  4. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  5. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

exclamation

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

  • alphabet-pasta-spelling-help
  • Which is the correct spelling?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games