ou

[ oh-oo ]

/ ˈoʊˈu /

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noun

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

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

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Origin of ou

First recorded in 1885–90, ou is from the Hawaiian word ʿōʿū

Words nearby ou

Ottonian, Otto pelvis, ottrelite, Ottumwa, Otway, ou, ouabain, Ouachita, Ouachita Mountains, Ouagadougou, ouananiche

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use ou in a sentence

[Y]ou will know you have it right when you crush down on the clamp and see white gelatinous material coming through the cervix.
On Abortion, Wendy Davis Doesn’t Know What She’s Talking About|Kirsten Powers|August 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
If the OU and RCA really want to promote unity—a very noble goal—they should avoid papering over such crucial distinctions.
A Problematic Call for Unity|Sigal Samuel|July 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
That last sentence is really the only sensible one in the whole OU statement.
Jewish Responses to the Supreme Court’s Same-Sex Marriage Rulings|Sigal Samuel|June 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I bought it at a tiny stand near the Nam Ou river, the blue tablecloths catching my eye as I wandered past the stall.
The World’s Five Best Cheap Meals|Jodi Ettenberg|November 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST

When contacted, an OU spokesman, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “We have no comment at this time.”
Jews Respond to “Savage” Subway Ads|Sigal Samuel|September 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
On estoit sur le poinct de faire tabagie ou convive solemnel sur son dernier adieu.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Or ne say-je quelle estoit sa maladie; si elle venoit seulement par intervalles, ou non, je n'en say rien: tant y a que le 2.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Il y a nombre infini de ruisseaux au Port Royal, entre lesquels sont trois ou quatre o vient foison le poisson au renouveau.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Copied from the French, l. 239—'Ou tu a la court m'ajournes.'
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer
Some even went 'jusqu' l'Arbre sec, Ou li oisel pendent au bec.'
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer

British Dictionary definitions for ou (1 of 2)

/ (əʊ) /

noun

Southern African slang a man, bloke, or chap

Word Origin for ou

Afrikaans

British Dictionary definitions for ou (2 of 2)

abbreviation for

the Open University

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

Medical definitions for ou

abbr.

oculus uterque (either eye, each eye)