aw

¹ American  

[aw] / ɔ /

interjection

1. (used to express protest, disbelief, disgust, or commiseration.)

2. (used to express sentimental or sugary approval.)

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AW ² American  

1. Articles of War.

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a.w. ³ American  

Or aw

abbreviation

1. actual weight.

2. (in shipping) all water.

3. atomic weight.

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aw ¹ British  

/ ɔː /

determiner

1. a variant spelling of a'

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aw ² British  

/ ɔː /

interjection

1. informal an expression of disapproval, commiseration, or appeal

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aw ³ British  

abbreviation

1. Aruba

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Etymology

Origin of aw

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

In 2019’s “Shazam!,” also directed by David F. Sandberg, there was something rather charming about Levi’s boyish performance, a grown man playing Superman with all the aw shucks wonder of a teenager.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2023

Some linguists trace it back to the Scots-Irish phrase "ye aw"; others suggest an African American origin, perhaps from the Igbo word for "you" brought over by Nigerian-born enslaved people.

From Salon • Dec. 5, 2022

“And I didn’t like it. And I was losing that joy in life. Like, the joy. I’m sorry right now, but, aw, dang, let me …”

From Washington Post • Sep. 26, 2021

Turns out, AG had misused common elements of the Scots language like syne and an aw.

From Slate • Sep. 9, 2020

Mama looked surprised, but was too happy to say aw shah.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns