yo

¹ American  

[yoh] / yoʊ /

interjection

1. (used as an exclamation to get someone's attention, express excitement, greet someone, etc.)

2. here; present: used especially in answer to a roll call.

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y.o. ² American  

abbreviation

1. year old; years old.

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yo British  

/ jəʊ /

1. an expression used as a greeting, to attract someone's attention, etc

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Usage

What is a basic definition of yo? Yo is an interjection that is used for getting someone’s attention, greeting someone, or expressing strong feelings. Yo is also used to mean “here” or “present,” as in response to a roll call.Yo is a very flexible interjection that is used similarly to hey. The specific meaning of yo depends on the context it is used in. Yo is most often used informally and wouldn’t be used in formal writing that isn’t quotes or dialogue.

• Real-life examples: You might greet a pal with a friendly “Yo!” Or you might try to get the attention of a distracted driver with an angry “Yo!”
• Used in a sentence: Yo, Teddy! How is it going? 

Yo is also used to mean “here” or “present,” especially in response to someone calling your name.

• Real-life examples: It might be too casual to say yo when your teacher reads your name during roll call, but your basketball coach probably won’t mind. And when someone asks who in a group wants pizza, you can definitely raise your hand and say “Yo!” to mean that you do.

Etymology

Origin of yo

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425

Example Sentences

Austin co-wrote multiple songs on Janet Jackson’s 2006 album “20 Y.O.,” including the hits “So Excited” and “Call on Me.”

From Seattle Times

CNN asks 17 y.o. school drop-out Greta the Climate Puppet to evaluate Anthony Fauci’s concerns about #coronavirus causing Kawasaki disease in children.

From Washington Times

The caller, a former nurse who had previously worked at a women’s health clinic, said Tyndall’s care “was not good” and “if this was her first visit as an 18 y.o., she would never return to see a gynecologist.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m a 30 y.o. male who has not experienced a single anxiety free day in my adult life,” wrote one user on a CBD forum on Reddit earlier this month.

From New York Times

Many 80 year olds are actually equal to healthy 60 y.o.

From New York Times