interjection
Americannoun
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interjections
plural
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the act of interjecting.
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something interjected, as a remark.
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the utterance of a word or phrase expressive of emotion; the uttering of an exclamation.
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Grammar.
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any member of a class of words expressing emotion, distinguished in most languages by their use in grammatical isolation, as Hey! Oh! Ouch! Ugh!
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any other word or expression so used, as Good grief! Indeed!
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noun
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a word or remark expressing emotion; exclamation
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the act of interjecting
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interj.. a word or phrase that is characteristically used in syntactic isolation and that usually expresses sudden emotion; expletive
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
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing interjection
Language and Grammar - Introductory
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That’s So Meta: Words About Words
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Much Ado About Nothing
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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.
See Examples For:
“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
After the 11-term Democrat's third interjection and prior warnings to maintain decorum, House Speaker Mike Johnson ordered the sergeant-at-arms to remove Green from the chamber.
From Salon ● Mar. 6, 2025
But some prospective jurors revealed sensitive information on their own, without any interjection from the judge.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 16, 2024
“Bills, Bills, Bills” is dizzyingly complex, “Jumpin’, Jumpin’” is futuristically forceful and Beyoncé’s singing at the end of “Bug a Boo” is a soaring interjection of traditional glory into the modish present.
From New York Times ● Jul. 25, 2022
At first there were hints that Luria’s interjection might cause a change back to reason.
From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson
Albanese made the taunt after facing interjections from frontbenchers, including shadow treasurer Angus Taylor, during a speech on tax changes.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2024
Shortly after Mr. Halloran finished reading the passage with his interjections, Ms. Cavanaugh responded, tearfully calling his altering of the passage unnecessary harassment that diminished the integrity of the legislation they were debating.
From New York Times ● Mar. 19, 2024
SBF acknowledged all of this during the walk, Sun said, with hasty, clipped interjections of “yup, yup.”
From Slate ● Oct. 19, 2023
Among his interjections Thursday, Carter raised multiple reservations about the nomination of retired Judge Jay C. Gandhi as a monitor to ensure compliance with the agreement.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2023
In the evening to the ever-pleasing Hasty-Pudding Theatrical Play, a burlesque of Victor Hugo's 'Notre Dame de Paris,' with many saucy interjections.
From Julia Ward Howe 1819-1910 by Maud Howe Elliott
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