ow

American

[ou] / aʊ /

interjection

(used especially as an expression of intense or sudden pain.)

ow British

/ aʊ /

interjection

an exclamation of 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

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.

Here, the aliens have become more assertive: “Ow, we need the funk / We gotta have that funk.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“Ow,” I whimper as I try to stop myself from melting off the fence.

From Literature

“Ow, bow wow, woof!” his wolf steed agreed.

From Literature

“Ow,” said Beowulf, squirming in the tub.

From Literature

“Ow! Watch your step, lady! That was my foot!”

From Literature

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