jo
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for jo, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A sweetheart or darling (chiefly Scots).
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Etymology
The "sweetheart" sense comes from Scots jo ("joy"), tracing back through Old French joie to Latin gaudia; a doublet of "joy."
Full origin of jo →Frequently asked questions
What does “jo” mean?
The word “jo” means a sweetheart or darling (chiefly Scots). In plain terms, an old Scots term of endearment, or a martial-arts staff — two unrelated words that happen to be spelled the same.
How do you pronounce “jo”?
“Jo” is pronounced jo (/d͡ʒoː/ in IPA).
How do you use “jo” in a sentence?
Here is “jo” used in a sentence: “The old ballad calls out to "my bonnie jo.".”
What part of speech is “jo”?
“Jo” is a noun.
Where does the word “jo” come from?
The word “jo” comes from Latin. The "sweetheart" sense comes from Scots jo ("joy"), tracing back through Old French joie to Latin gaudia; a doublet of "joy.".
Is “jo” a common word?
“Jo” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “jo” have?
“Jo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sweetheart or darling (chiefly Scots).
Is jo a Scottish word for sweetheart?
Yes. In Scots, a jo is a sweetheart or darling, and the word appears as a term of endearment in older Scottish songs and poems. It is now rare outside deliberately Scots or literary contexts.
What is the difference between a jo and a bo staff?
Both are wooden staffs used in Japanese martial arts, but the jo is the shorter of the two and is the central weapon of jōdō, the art built around it. The bo is a longer staff used in its own staff arts.
Is jo a valid word in Scrabble?
Jo is listed in major Scrabble word lists as a valid two-letter word, defined as a sweetheart, and its plural joes is also playable. That makes jo a handy way to place the J tile on a tight board.