Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Jump To:
  • ou
    ou
    noun
    a rare Hawaiian honeycreeper, Psittirostra psittacea, having an olive-green body, a parrotlike bill, and in the male a bright yellow head.
  • OU
    OU
    abbreviation
    the Open University

ou

American  
[oh-oo] / ˈoʊˈu /
Or 'o'u

noun

  1. a rare Hawaiian honeycreeper, Psittirostra psittacea, having an olive-green body, a parrotlike bill, and in the male a bright yellow head.


OU 1 British  

abbreviation

  1. the Open University

  2. Oxford University

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ou 2 British  
/ əʊ /

noun

  1. slang a man, bloke, or chap

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of ou

First recorded in 1885–90; from Hawaiian ʿōʿū

Compare meaning

How does ou compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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:

In the meantime, ou might even find it more empowering to treat yourself to something nice instead of waiting for the perfect gift from your partner.

From Slate Nov. 3, 2023

In 2016 she fashioned a Portuguese-Spanish remix of Balvin’s 2015 hit “Ginza,” then joined Maluma on “Sim ou Não,” a balmy pop mélange that helped initiate her in the coveted Hispanic market.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 9, 2022

Mas enquanto isso, Genaro, que trabalha na Divisão de Sistemas Espaciais do instituto há 20 anos, diz: “Tudo o que temos são ideias soltas no papel, sem nenhum orçamento ou equipe para executá-las”.

From Science Magazine May 26, 2022

The film was produced by Bien ou Bien Productions and co-produced with France 3 Cinéma.

From Salon Sep. 13, 2020

The work was titled Le Monde, ou Traité de la Lumière, and it was on the verge of being published when news of Galileo’s trial and conviction for heresy reached Holland.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin

Next year, Gillespie will serve as the editor in chief of the OU Daily.

From Los Angeles Times May 26, 2026

Friedman led the study alongside Karen Jonscher, Ph.D., associate professor of biochemistry and physiology in the OU College of Medicine.

From Science Daily Feb. 8, 2026

OU has not publicly commented beyond acknowledging the grade appeal process.

From Salon Nov. 30, 2025

At OU, he is equal in rank to coach Brent Venables.

From The Wall Street Journal Oct. 10, 2025

Trey wasn’t super dressed up—he sported a nice pair of jeans and a crimson-red button-up with an OU embroidered on the pocket.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training