oops

American  

[oops, oops] / ʊps, ups /

interjection

1. (used to express mild dismay, chagrin, surprise, etc., as at one's own mistake, a clumsy act, or social blunder.)

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oops British  

/ ʊps, uːps /

interjection

1. an exclamation of surprise or of apology as when someone drops something or makes a mistake

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Etymology

Origin of oops

First recorded in 1925–30; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Britney Spears scored the early 2000s with hits from “Oops!... I Did It Again” to “Toxic.”

From Los Angeles Times

US singer Britney Spears has become the latest musician to sell the rights to her catalog that includes hits like "...Baby One More Time" and "Oops!...I Did It Again," US media reported Tuesday.

From Barron's

“Oops. Sorry. Forgot about the germ thing.”

From Literature

There’s a cadence to sales, a pattern to coupons, a small ecosystem of rewards programs and “oops” bins where imperfect or surplus food waits quietly for someone to notice.

From Salon

At my Mariano’s, there’s a section labeled “Oops! We baked too much,” which houses overstock bread and pastries.

From Salon

Related Words

• cry
• exclamation
• expletive
• insertion
• interpolation
• interposition
• shout