ay
1 Americanadverb
interjection
adverb
interjection
Etymology
Origin of ay1
1150–1200; Middle English ei, ai < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse ei, cognate with Old English ā ever
Origin of ay2
Middle English word dating back to 1300–50
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He has worked with other more prominent artists and appeared on a track, “Ay Caramba.”
From Los Angeles Times
A lifeless fish dangled from his beak as he squawked, “Ay! Om fithin hee!”
From Literature
“Ay caray, adonde nos trajeron,” he thought.
From Los Angeles Times
The workers did their calisthenics, and Antonio Lopez called out before they raced down the field: “Ay que Dios los ayude.”
From Los Angeles Times
Burn, ay 6 feet 7 inches, fits the bill, while Rogers combines raw power with natural skill and strong running.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
