noun
Uncommon
SOS
ehs-oh-EHS
SOS (noun) means an international distress signal, traditionally sent in Morse code, used to call for urgent help. Example: “The sinking ship radioed an SOS before losing power.”
noun
1
An international distress signal, traditionally sent in Morse code, used to call for urgent help.
"The crew sent a frantic SOS as they realised the scale of the disaster."
"The sinking ship radioed an SOS before losing power."
2
By extension, any urgent call for help.
"She sent an SOS text when her car broke down."
How to use SOS
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe classic emergency distress call, now used loosely for any urgent plea for help.
Common mistake
It isn't really an acronym for anything — that's a popular myth.
Common pairings
send an SOS
SOS signal
SOS call
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Word forms
- Plural
- SOS's, SOSes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The sinking ship radioed an _____ before losing power.
Etymology
Chosen in the early 1900s purely because its Morse pattern (three dots, three dashes, three dots) is short and easy to send and recognize — not, despite popular belief, an abbreviation for "save our souls" or "save our ship."
Class of 1900
SOS joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →
Frequently asked questions
What does “SOS” mean?
The word “SOS” means an international distress signal, traditionally sent in Morse code, used to call for urgent help. In plain terms, the classic emergency distress call, now used loosely for any urgent plea for help.
How do you pronounce “SOS”?
“SOS” is pronounced ehs-oh-EHS (/ˌɛs.oʊˈɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “SOS” in a sentence?
Here is “SOS” used in a sentence: “The sinking ship radioed an SOS before losing power.”
What part of speech is “SOS”?
“SOS” is a noun.
Where does the word “SOS” come from?
The word “SOS” dates back to around 1900.
Is “SOS” a common word?
“SOS” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “SOS” have?
“SOS” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an international distress signal, traditionally sent in Morse code, used to call for urgent help.
