oops

[oops, oops]

interjection

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

oops

/ ʊps, uːps /

interjection

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of oops¹

First recorded in 1925–30; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

And then, this past week, it had to come forward and say: Oops, one little correction.

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Elsewhere, Paris Hilton recreated the famous look from Britney Spears's music video for Oops!...

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Appeared in the October 23, 2025, print edition as 'Oops, I’ve Had a Nazi Tattoo for 18 Years'.

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The “Stronger” and “Oops!... I Did It Again” pop star hit back at her ex-husband Wednesday evening in a statement shared to X and Instagram, writing that confronting his latest revelations has been “extremely hurtful and exhausting.”

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The 20-somethings bringing back these styles aren’t exactly spoofing those of us who sported them when “Oops!…I Did It Again,” was a hit on MTV.

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Related Words

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