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.

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OU ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. the Open University

2. Oxford University

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ou ² British  

/ əʊ /

noun

1. slang a man, bloke, or chap

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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:

• ou vs. uh

Example Sentences

“Ki moun ou ye” keeps doing this — paring back before pressing forward with fresh urgency — while maintaining an easygoing vibe.

From New York Times • Feb. 29, 2024

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 ele recusou a oferta, temendo ficar isolado e sem dinheiro – ou mesmo sem colegas – para continuar seu trabalho no longo prazo.

From Science Magazine • May 26, 2022

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