noun
Uncommon
woe
woh
Woe (noun) means Deep sadness or distress, or a misfortune that causes it. Example: “He poured out his woes to anyone who would listen.”
noun
1
Deep sadness or distress, or a misfortune that causes it.
"He poured out his woes to anyone who would listen."
"Financial woes forced the company to lay off staff."
intj
1
An exclamation expressing grief or dismay.
""Woe is me," she sighed, staring at the wreckage."
How to use woe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGreat sorrow or trouble, or the misfortunes that cause it.
When to use it
"Woe is me" is deliberately old-fashioned and now used mostly in a joking, self-mocking way.
Common pairings
tales of woe
woe betide
financial woes
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Word forms
- Plural
- woes
- Comparative
- more woe
- Superlative
- most woe
Fill the gap
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He poured out his _____ to anyone who would listen.
Etymology
From Old English wā, an ancient cry of grief found across many Indo-European languages — related to Latin vae and Ancient Greek οὐαί, both also meaning "woe!"
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for woe
See all rhymes for woe →Frequently asked questions
What does “woe” mean?
The word “woe” means deep sadness or distress, or a misfortune that causes it. In plain terms, great sorrow or trouble, or the misfortunes that cause it.
How do you pronounce “woe”?
“Woe” is pronounced woh (/woʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “woe” in a sentence?
Here is “woe” used in a sentence: “He poured out his woes to anyone who would listen.”
What is another word for “woe”?
Words with a similar meaning to “woe” include affliction, aggrievance, distress, grief, grievance and hardship.
What is the opposite of “woe”?
The opposite of “woe” — its antonyms — are benefit, boon, fortune, joy and laugh.
What part of speech is “woe”?
Depending on how it is used, “woe” can be a noun and an intj.
Where does the word “woe” come from?
The word “woe” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old English wā, an ancient cry of grief found across many Indo-European languages — related to Latin vae and Ancient Greek οὐαί, both also meaning "woe!".
Is “woe” a common word?
“Woe” is an uncommon word in modern English.
