used especially to express sudden pain
Ow! That hurts!

OW

2 of 2

abbreviation

one-way

Word History

Etymology

Interjection

from ow, interjection expressing surprise, from Middle English

First Known Use

Interjection

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ow was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near ow

Cite this Entry

“Ow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ow. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ow

interjection
ˈau̇ How to pronounce ow (audio)
ˈü
used especially to express sudden pain

More from Merriam-Webster on ow

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