ouch

interjection

Save Word

\ ˈau̇ch

Definition of ouch

(Entry 1 of 2)

—used especially to express sudden pain

ouch

noun

Definition of ouch (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : a setting for a precious stone thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold — Exodus 28:11 (King James Version)

b : jewel, ornament especially : a buckle or brooch set with precious stones your brooches, pearls, and ouches — William Shakespeare

2 obsolete : clasp, brooch

Examples of ouch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Interjection Styr bludgeoned in the head with a hammer by Jon Snow Ouch. 12. — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 29 Aug. 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun From a neuro-cognitive perspective, pain is a broader term than simply the ouch of stubbing a toe. — Alison Escalante, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2021 This later led to hospital visits for scans and tests, including a needle biopsy (ouch), all of them inconclusive. — Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2019 There's traditional waxing (ouch), hair removal creams and mousses (somewhat reliable), laser hair removal (brilliant, but expensive), threading (great for small areas), and then there's sugaring. — Rebecca Dancer, Allure, 4 Oct. 2019 Basic supplies such as notebooks, pencils, backpacks and lunchboxes will run - ouch! - about $117. — Author: Laura Daily, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Aug. 2019 Any potential deal could involved Ivan Rakitic, who is the only player the French champions would be interested in having from Barca, Sport add (Philippe Coutinho says: ouch). — SI.com, 4 Aug. 2019 Every now and then, the tool edge would hit (ouch) the outer face of the upper teeth. — Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 18 May 2018 The researchers, led by Anthony Lantian (a professor of psychology at the University Paris Nanterre), set out to examine the link between belief in conspiracy theories and the need for uniqueness (ouch). — Katie Heaney, The Cut, 21 Dec. 2017 Matt Nieto didn’t practice Wednesday after taking a Shea Weber slap shot (ouch) to the calf area in the third period of the Avalanche’s Tuesday victory over Montreal. — Terry Frei, The Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2017 See More

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

History and Etymology for ouch

Interjection

origin unknown

Noun

Middle English, alteration (from misdivision of a nouche) of nouche, from Anglo-French nusche, nouche, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German nusca clasp