interjection

American  

[in-ter-jek-shuhn] / ˌɪn tərˈdʒɛk ʃən /

noun

• interjections
  plural

1. the act of interjecting.

2. something interjected, as a remark.

3. the utterance of a word or phrase expressive of emotion; the uttering of an exclamation.

4. Grammar.

   1. any member of a class of words expressing emotion, distinguished in most languages by their use in grammatical isolation, as Hey! Oh! Ouch! Ugh!

   2. any other word or expression so used, as Good grief! Indeed!

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interjection British  

/ ˌɪntəˈdʒɛkʃən /

noun

1. a word or remark expressing emotion; exclamation

2. the act of interjecting

3.  interj..  a word or phrase that is characteristically used in syntactic isolation and that usually expresses sudden emotion; expletive

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interjection Cultural  

1. A brief exclamation, often containing only one word: “Oh!” “Gee!” “Good grief!” “Ouch!”

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Usage

What does interjection mean? An interjection is a word or phrase that expresses something in a sudden or exclamatory way, especially an emotion. Yikes, uh-oh, ugh, oh boy, and ouch are common examples of interjections. In grammar, interjections are considered one of the parts of speech (types of words categorized by function, like nouns and verbs and adjectives). Interjection is the noun form of the verb interject, which most commonly means to interrupt or insert a comment. Interjection can also be used to mean the act or instance of doing so, as in Can I make an interjection?Example: There was a chorus of angry interjections when the people in the audience heard that their taxes would be going up.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• interjectional
  adjective
• interjectural
  adjective
• interjectionally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• interjections
  plural

Etymology

Origin of interjection

1400–50; late Middle English interjeccio ( u ) n < Latin interjectiōn- (stem of interjectiō ). See interject, -ion

Explanation

An interjection is a word like "Hey!" or "Mmm!" or "Ugh!" Interjections can also be longer interruptions of a conversation or something happening. The inter part of interjection, which means "between," is a good clue that this is a term for words that bust in on other strings of words. If you've ever said "Whoa!", you've used an interjection. Interjections interject or interrupt — they break into the conversation. People often use interjections when excited, such as "Yes!" or "Wow!" You could also say, "May I make an interjection?" That would be a polite way of saying you'd like to add something.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

interjection interjections

“We both have good jobs—and no kids—so we’re able to travel,” said Oester, with an interjection from Li.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

But some prospective jurors revealed sensitive information on their own, without any interjection from the judge.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 16, 2024

The “re, mi, do” feels musically resolved, he explained, after which “do, so” — the alien response — feels like an appropriately startling interjection.

From New York Times ● Jun. 24, 2023

However, the brief yet random interjection raised eyebrows and concerns about security at CinemaCon and also, the legal integrity of the proceedings.

From Salon ● Apr. 29, 2022

Every now and then a staccato interjection from my grandmother.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson

That elicited plenty of interjections from the degree-holders below his lectern, to whom Borchetta responded, “Deal with it.”

From Slate ● May 20, 2026

Barring any interjections from the weather it would be a minor miracle if this contest now stretches through until Saturday.

From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2025

As Winslow explained — dicing chicken, browning andouille sausage, saving the shrimp for last, so it doesn’t overcook — Harris punctuated his narration with a series of small interjections.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 4, 2024

In the finished version, the song sounds transformed: Ascending notes on the strings, interjections from the brass and crashing cymbals build to a powerful climax, evoking the heartache and inner turmoil contained in the lyric.

From New York Times ● Jan. 10, 2024

In fact, interjections, together with gestures, the movements of the muscles of the mouth, and the eye, would be quite sufficient for all purposes which language answers with the majority of mankind.

From Lectures on The Science of Language by Max Müller

Related Words

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