exclamation
Americannoun
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the act of exclaiming; outcry; loud complaint or protest.
The speech was continually interrupted by rude exclamations.
- Synonyms:
- vociferation, ejaculation, cry
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an interjection.
-
Rhetoric. ecphonesis.
noun
-
an abrupt, emphatic, or excited cry or utterance; interjection; ejaculation
-
the act of exclaiming
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of exclamation
1350–1400; Middle English exclamacio ( u ) n < Latin exclāmātiōn- (stem of exclāmātiō ) a calling out, equivalent to exclāmāt ( us ) (past participle of exclāmāre; see exclaim) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
If you need a word to call other "words" like "Yay!" or "Rats!", then exclamation is your word. An exclamation is usually followed by an exclamation point. Go Figure. The shocked cry you made when your friends jumped out and yelled, "Surprise!" at your birthday party? You could call both your yelp and their "Surprise!" exclamations. The Latin word exclamare, or "cry out loud," is at the root of the noun exclamation. An exclamation doesn't need to be a literal "cry," though — it can be a surprised "Wow!" or an angry "No!" Anything you say with abrupt excitement, pain, fear, or anger is an exclamation.
Vocabulary lists containing exclamation
Sentences - Introductory
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Catching the Light, Part 1
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Part 3 Literary Terms (Unit 1)
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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.
Exclamation points flow liberally with USC’s athletic director, who before long had taken up the role of tour guide through a still-unfamiliar office, regarding each detail of his new domain with wide-eyed wonder.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2021
Exclamation points withstanding, the Mariners have been active in trying promote COVID-19 awareness and also helping bring the vaccine to underprivileged communities.
From Seattle Times • May 3, 2021
Exclamation points, interrobangs and innumerable French diacritics were all part of his patois.
From New York Times • May 2, 2019
Exclamation points used to be something you allowed yourself, a secret weapon unsheathed only at a rare and necessary moment, like Wolverine’s adamantium claws.
From Time • Jul. 2, 2014
Mr. Milton concluded with the Exclamation, "Indeede, there never was such a Woman;" on which, deare Roger, whome I beginne to love, quoth, "Oh yes, there are manie such,—we have two at Table now."
From Mary Powell & Deborah's Diary by Manning, Anne
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.
