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Synonyms

ouch

1 American  
[ouch] / aʊtʃ /

interjection

  1. (used as an exclamation expressing sudden pain or dismay.)

ouch 2 American  
[ouch] / aʊtʃ /

noun

  1. a clasp, buckle, or brooch, especially one worn for ornament.

  2. the setting of a precious stone.

verb (used with object)

  1. to adorn with or as if with ouches.

ouch 1 British  
/ aʊtʃ /

noun

  1. a brooch or clasp set with gems

  2. the setting of a gem

"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
ouch 2 British  
/ aʊtʃ /

interjection

  1. an exclamation of sharp sudden pain

"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 ouch1

1830–40, < German autsch

Origin of ouch2

1325–75; Middle English ouche (noun), for nouche (the phrase a nouche taken as an ouche; apron ) < Old French nosche ≪ Germanic

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.

As interviewer Iain Dale responded "ouch", Polanski said: "I really like Adrian, so that does hurt."

From BBC • Aug. 1, 2025

She recalled McLaughlin saying, “Ouch, ouch, ouch. It hurts,” but said McLaughlin was unable to explain the cause of her pain before her death.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 5, 2024

"We are supposed to die without even saying ouch, without expressing pain," Abudaqa said at a news conference on Tuesday.

From Reuters • Nov. 9, 2023

“If one of them has been thinking something, the others intuitively know it. I tease them: ‘If I stick one of you with a pin, all three of you would say ouch.’

From Washington Times • Jun. 19, 2022

“What? Oh yeah . . . ouch . . . interesting,” said Harry as she stepped on his foot.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.