lo
10 synonyms for lo, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Intj — An old-fashioned exclamation used to draw attention to something, meaning roughly "look" or "behold."
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use lo
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
lo and behold
Archaic or literary; mainly seen today in the phrase "lo and behold," used half-jokingly.
Etymology
From Old English lā, an exclamation of surprise or emotion, later linked with "look."
Full origin of lo →Frequently asked questions
What does “lo” mean?
The word “lo” means an old-fashioned exclamation used to draw attention to something, meaning roughly "look" or "behold.". In plain terms, an old or literary way of saying "look!" or "behold!".
How do you pronounce “lo”?
“Lo” is pronounced loh (/loʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lo” in a sentence?
Here is “lo” used in a sentence: “And lo, the sun rose over the valley.”
What is another word for “lo”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lo” include behold, ecce, hark, look, lookee and lookie.
What part of speech is “lo”?
“Lo” is an intj.
Where does the word “lo” come from?
The word “lo” comes from Old English. From Old English lā, an exclamation of surprise or emotion, later linked with "look.".
Is “lo” a common word?
“Lo” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is it "lo and behold" or "low and behold"?
The correct spelling is "lo and behold." Lo is an old-fashioned exclamation meaning "look" or "behold," so the common misspelling "low and behold" makes no literal sense.
Is lo still used in modern English?
Outside the set phrase "lo and behold," lo survives mainly in biblical and deliberately archaic writing, where it draws attention to what follows. Writers sometimes deploy it for mock-solemn humor: "Lo, the printer has jammed again."
Is the "lo" in lo-fi the same word as the exclamation lo?
No. In lo-fi, lo is simply a respelling of low, as in low fidelity, while the exclamation lo is an unrelated old word meaning "look" or "behold."
