-ole

¹ American  

1. a suffix found in French loanwords of Latin origin, usually diminutives, and later in adaptations of words borrowed directly from Latin or in New Latin coinages: centriole;

   areole;

   centriole;

   vacuole.

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-ole ² American  

1. a suffix used in names of chemical compounds, especially five-membered, unsaturated rings (carbazole; indole; thiazole ) and, less systematically, aromatic ethers (anisole; safrole ).

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olé ³ American  

[oh-ley] / oʊˈleɪ /

interjection

1. (used as a shout of approval, triumph, or encouragement.)

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noun

1. a cry of “olé.”

ole- ⁴ American  

1. variant of oleo- before a vowel.

   oleiferous.

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-ole ¹ British  

combining form

1. denoting an organic unsaturated compound containing a 5-membered ring

   thiazole

2. denoting an aromatic organic ether

   anisole

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olé ² British  

/ əʊˈleɪ /

interjection

1. an exclamation of approval or encouragement customary at bullfights, flamenco dancing, and other Spanish or Latin American events

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noun

1. a cry of olé

-ole ³ British  

suffix

1. indicating something small

   arteriole

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OLE ⁴ British  

abbreviation

1. object linking and embedding: a system for linking and embedding data, images, and programs from different sources

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Usage

What does olé mean? Olé is an exclamation of approval, encouragement, or victory. The unrelated word ole, without the accent mark over the e, is simply a version of the word old meant to imitate how it is sometimes pronounced.Olé, pronounced [ oh-LAY ], comes from Spanish and is often associated with its use during Spanish or Latin American events or activities, such as when it’s shouted by spectators during bullfights or certain dances. More recently, it has become a popular chant by fans at soccer (football) games, especially to mark a team’s victory.Ole (pronounced like old without the d) is colloquial, meaning it’s typically used in informal conversation. It’s especially used to intensify the meaning of another adjective that it’s paired with, as in Look at that big ole truck. It’s sometimes spelled ol’.Example: When I visited Spain, I finally got to see people chanting, "Olé!" in a big ole arena, just like in the movies!

Etymology

Origin of -ole¹

From French, from Latin -olus, -ola, -olum, variant of -ulus -ule with stems ending in a vowel

Origin of -ole²

< French < Latin oleum oil

Origin of olé³

First recorded in 1910–15; from Spanish ole, olé, from Arabic wa-llāh “and Allah,” from wa “and” + allāh “God, Allah”

Example Sentences

I’m at least a little bit crazy—I picked the Ravens to win the Super Bowl; I write waaaayyy too much about bike racing; I keep playing golf and expecting to enjoy it—but I feel extra crazy watching developments around Lane Kiffin’s abrupt escape from Ole Miss to LSU.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite agreeing to terms with a rival school, Kiffin lobbied Ole Miss to grant him the honor.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ole Miss said nope and promoted defensive coordinator Keith Golding to the head coach job; Kiffin publicly expressed his disappointment that the school rejected his request.

From The Wall Street Journal

He’s revolutionized this Ole Miss program and put it in a position to win a national title.

From The Wall Street Journal

Kiffin, wearing a plaid top that appeared stolen from the Brady Bunch wardrobe closet, softened the tone of his departing statement, now saying he respected Ole Miss’s decision to exclude him from playoff coaching.

From The Wall Street Journal