English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
intj Uncommon

ouch

OWCH
Quiz me More like this

Ouch (intj) means used to express sudden physical pain. Example: “Ouch! I just stubbed my toe on the table.”

intj
1
Used to express sudden physical pain.
"Ouch! I just stubbed my toe on the table."
"Ouch, that shot hurt more than I expected."
"Ouch! You trod on my foot with your heavy boot."
2
Used to react to something painful in a non-physical way, such as an insult or a shockingly high price.
"Ouch, three hundred dollars just for parking?"
"Ouch, that review was harsh, but it did make some fair points."
"Ouch! The repair bill was far more than we expected."

How to use ouch

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA quick word people blurt out when something hurts, physically or figuratively.

When to use it

Very informal, mostly spoken.

Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like ouch.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Plural
ouches
Third person singular
ouches
Past tense
ouched
Test yourself on “ouch” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____! I just stubbed my toe on the table.

Etymology

Its exact origin is debated. Some trace it to German autsch by way of Pennsylvania German communities in the 1800s; others say it's simply a natural pain-cry that English speakers have used since the 1600s.

Origin: German · First attested 1800

Class of 1800 ouch joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →

Related words

Rhymes for ouch

See all rhymes for ouch →

Frequently asked questions

What does “ouch” mean?
The word “ouch” means used to express sudden physical pain. In plain terms, a quick word people blurt out when something hurts, physically or figuratively.
How do you pronounce “ouch”?
“Ouch” is pronounced OWCH (/ˈaʊt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ouch” in a sentence?
Here is “ouch” used in a sentence: “Ouch! I just stubbed my toe on the table.”
What part of speech is “ouch”?
“Ouch” is an intj.
Where does the word “ouch” come from?
The word “ouch” dates back to around 1800 and comes from German. Its exact origin is debated. Some trace it to German autsch by way of Pennsylvania German communities in the 1800s; others say it's simply a natural pain-cry that English speakers have used since the 1600s.
Is “ouch” a common word?
“Ouch” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ouch” have?
“Ouch” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used to express sudden physical pain.
When do people say ouch?
People say ouch to express sudden physical pain, or to react to something painful in a non-physical way, such as an insult or a shockingly high price.
Is ouch a formal or informal word?
Ouch is an informal interjection, used in casual spoken reactions rather than formal writing.
Can ouch be used for something other than physical pain?
Yes, ouch is also used to react to non-physical pain, such as a harsh comment or an unexpectedly high cost.

Featured in

People also searched