crikey
Americaninterjection
interjection
Etymology
Origin of crikey
First recorded in 1830–40; probably euphemistic alteration of Christ
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.
“It’s only now people are saying it that I’m thinking, “Oh, crikey, maybe it is a big deal.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2026
"We've stayed in a couple of nights, thinking crikey - looking at the bank app and thinking, where is the money going," he said.
From BBC ● Apr. 14, 2022
As a cynical old pro you tend to think 'well he cannot keep this up' but crikey, every goal he has scored has been a wonder goal.
From BBC ● Dec. 24, 2013
Oh crikey, I'd better find out really quickly if I can do this.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 11, 2013
"O crikey, Bill!" she ses to me, she ses.
From Musa Pedestris - Three Centuries of Canting Songs and Slang Rhymes [1536 - 1896] by Farmer, John Stephen
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.
