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Slang dictionary results for oy vey.

oy vey

American  
[oi vey] / ˈɔɪ ˈveɪ /

interjection

Yiddish.
  1. (used to express distress, exasperation, upset, alarm, etc., sometimes minor).

    Just had another session with my mom, planning my wedding—oy vey, she’s taking over!


Etymology

Origin of oy vey

First recorded in 1910–15; from Yiddish oy vey “oh woe,” from oy oy 1 ( def. ) + vey “woe”; see also woe ( def. )

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:

“Camp Siegfried,” which opened on Tuesday at Second Stage Theater, in a thoughtful production directed by David Cromer, is an oy vey kind of play.

From New York Times Nov. 15, 2022

I even shacked up with a goy – oy vey!

From The Guardian Dec. 21, 2019

Yet the work we’re shown that’s meant to illustrate their genius ends up looking — oy vey — as if it should hang on a motel wall.

From Washington Post Oct. 11, 2017

And — oy vey — there goes any illusion of authenticity.

From Washington Post Oct. 11, 2017

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