ouch Meaning & Definition
What Does Ouch Mean?
As an interjection, ouch means An expression of one's own physical pain. It can also mean An expression in sympathy at another's pain. As a noun, it means Something that causes discomfort or pain. As a verb, it means To exclaim "ouch!" in discomfort or pain.
Ouch at a Glance
| Part of speech | interjection, noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //aʊt͡ʃ// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | oof, ow and owie |
| Plural | ouches |
| Verb forms | ouches, ouching, ouched |
Ouch Definition (Interjection)
- An expression of one's own physical pain.
Ouch! You stepped on my toe! That hurt!
- An expression in sympathy at another's pain.
Ouch! Her sunburn looks awful.
- A reply to an insult seen as savage (frequently one that is tongue-in-cheek or joking).
Ouch. How could you say that?
- An expression of disappointment.
Ouch, I really wanted to do that.
- Expressing surprise at the high price of something.
Ouch, one hundred thousand dollars for a car! I could never afford that!
Ouch as a Noun
- Something that causes discomfort or pain.
Ouch as a Verb
- To exclaim "ouch!" in discomfort or pain.
Noun
- Alternative form of ouche.
Noun
- A brooch or clasp for fastening a piece of clothing together, especially when valuable or set with jewels.
Synonyms of Ouch
Ouch synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Ouch
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Ouch in a Sentence
Ouch! You stepped on my toe! That hurt!
Ouch! Her sunburn looks awful.
Ouch. How could you say that?
Ouch, I really wanted to do that.
Ouch, one hundred thousand dollars for a car! I could never afford that!
Word Forms & Grammar
ouch
ouch (plural ouches)
ouch (third-person singular simple present ouches, present participle ouching, simple past and past participle ouched)
Words That Rhyme With Ouch
Origin of Ouch
Origin 1: Uncertain. Some sources say the interjection is attested since 1838[1] (and specifically in American English) and derives ultimately from German autsch,[2][3] perhaps specifically via Pennsylvania German outch (“cry of pain”), as early attestations of the interjection are from Pennsylvania.[3] However, others say the interjection is a "mere"[4] or "natural" exclamation attested since the mid 1600s,[5] and the 1933 OED[3] cites one instance of a verb "ouch" in 1654, "Sancho Pancas Runs Ouching round the mountaine like a ranck-Asse".[6]
Origin 2: Variant forms.
Pronouncing Ouch
The standard pronunciation of ouch is //aʊt͡ʃ//, spoken in 1 syllable.
Common Questions About Ouch
Is ouch an interjection or a noun?
Ouch is mainly used as an interjection, but it can also be used as a noun and a verb.
What is another word for ouch?
Words with a similar meaning to ouch include oof, ow and owie. See the full list of ouch synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of ouch?
The plural of ouch is ouches.
What is the past tense of ouch?
The past tense of ouch is ouched. The present participle is ouching.