interjection

noun

in·​ter·​jec·​tion ˌin-tər-ˈjek-shən 

1

: an ejaculatory utterance usually lacking grammatical connection: such as

a

: a word or phrase used in exclamation (such as Heavens! Dear me!)

b

: a cry or inarticulate utterance (such as Alas! ouch! phooey! ugh!) expressing an emotion

2

a

: the act of uttering exclamations : ejaculation

b

: the act of putting in between : interposition

3

: something that is interjected or that interrupts

Did you know?

What is an interjection?

An interjection is a word or phrase that is grammatically independent from the words around it, and mainly expresses feeling rather than meaning.

Oh, what a beautiful house!

Uh-oh, this looks bad.

Well, it's time to say good night.

Actually, um, it's not my dog.

Shoot. I thought I'd fixed that.

I can't believe I lost the key! Ugh!

Interjections are common in speech and are much more common in electronic messages than in other types of writing.

Synonyms

• cry
• exclamation
• shout
• ejaculation
• scream
• shriek

Examples of interjection in a Sentence

interjections such as “oh,” “alas,” and “wow”

a chorus of angry interjections greeted the announcement that our flight would be delayed

Recent Examples on the Web

This suggests that pain interjections may have originated from nonlinguistic vocalizations. —Katarzyna Pisanski, Scientific American, 21 Feb. 2025

His obsessive tweeting, often in the early hours of the morning, meant that bizarre and venomous interjections into the political process could erupt at any time of day or night, that at any moment the ground might again shift beneath us. —Rebecca Solnit april 29, Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2021

The interjection led to an awkward moment in the conversation that's since made headlines. —Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025

And interjections also provide a window into interpersonal relationships. —Bob Holmes, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for interjection

• circumspection
• disaffection
• disconnection
• disinfection
• dorsiflexion
• imperfection
• indirection
• insurrection
• intellection
• intersection
• introjection
• introspection

Kids Definition

interjection

noun

in·​ter·​jec·​tion ˌint-ər-ˈjek-shən 

1

: an interjecting of something

2

: something interjected

3

: a word or cry expressing sudden or strong feeling

interjectional

-shnəl

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

interjectionally

-shnəl-ē

-shən-ᵊl-ē

adverb