intj Common

gosh

Gosh (intj) means a mild exclamation of surprise, delight, or emphasis, used as a polite substitute for "God.". Example: “Gosh, I didn't expect that!”

intj

A mild exclamation of surprise, delight, or emphasis, used as a polite substitute for "God."

"Gosh, I didn't expect that!"

"Oh gosh, is it that late already?"

How to use gosh

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA mild, inoffensive way to say 'wow' or 'oh no' without invoking God directly.

Easily confused with

gee → golly →

Common pairings

oh gosh by gosh

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_____, I didn't expect that!

Etymology

An altered, softened form of "God," first recorded in the phrase "by gosh" in the 1750s.

· First attested 1750

Class of 1750 gosh joined the language around 1750.

See the full Class of 1750 →

Synonyms

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golly gee goodness gracious crikey blimey

Related words

wow crimes goodness sporting excellence kindly virtue OMG

Rhymes for gosh

cosh posh dosh bosh Josh tosh nosh Kosh

See all rhymes for gosh →

Frequently asked questions

What does “gosh” mean?

The word “gosh” means a mild exclamation of surprise, delight, or emphasis, used as a polite substitute for "God.". In plain terms, a mild, inoffensive way to say 'wow' or 'oh no' without invoking God directly.

How do you pronounce “gosh”?

“Gosh” is pronounced gosh (/ɡɑːʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “gosh” in a sentence?

Here is “gosh” used in a sentence: “Gosh, I didn't expect that!”

What part of speech is “gosh”?

“Gosh” is an intj.

Where does the word “gosh” come from?

The word “gosh” dates back to around 1750. An altered, softened form of "God," first recorded in the phrase "by gosh" in the 1750s.

Is “gosh” a common word?

“Gosh” is a fairly common word in modern English.

What is the difference between 'gosh' and 'God'?

'Gosh' is a mild, polite substitute for the exclamation 'God'. People use 'gosh' to express surprise or emphasis without invoking a religious term.

What is the difference between 'gosh' and 'golly'?

Both are mild, somewhat old-fashioned exclamations of surprise, and both act as polite substitutes for 'God'. They are largely interchangeable, though 'golly' can sound even more dated.

Is 'gosh' rude or offensive?

No, 'gosh' is a mild and inoffensive exclamation. It is used specifically as a polite alternative to stronger or religious expressions.

Is 'gosh' formal or informal?

'Gosh' is informal and conversational, typical of casual speech rather than formal writing. It expresses surprise, delight, or emphasis in a gentle way.

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Vocabulary lists that include gosh:

Words that start with G Words that end with H

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