intj
Uncommon
yikes
yyks
Yikes (intj) means an exclamation of shock, alarm, or dismay. Example: “Yikes, I completely forgot about the meeting!”
intj
1
An exclamation of shock, alarm, or dismay.
"Then she told me I was ‘beautiful, for a black girl’. —Yikes!"
"Yikes, I completely forgot about the meeting!"
How to use yikes
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual way of expressing surprise or "uh-oh".
When to use it
Informal and conversational.
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_____, I completely forgot about the meeting!
Etymology
First recorded in the mid-20th century; likely descended from older hunting exclamations like "yoicks", used to spur on hounds, with the meaning shifting over time into a general cry of alarm.
Class of 1900
yikes joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for yikes
See all rhymes for yikes →Frequently asked questions
What does “yikes” mean?
The word “yikes” means an exclamation of shock, alarm, or dismay. In plain terms, a casual way of expressing surprise or "uh-oh".
How do you pronounce “yikes”?
“Yikes” is pronounced yyks (/jaɪks/ in IPA).
How do you use “yikes” in a sentence?
Here is “yikes” used in a sentence: “Yikes, I completely forgot about the meeting!”
What is another word for “yikes”?
Words with a similar meaning to “yikes” include wow.
What part of speech is “yikes”?
“Yikes” is an intj.
Where does the word “yikes” come from?
The word “yikes” dates back to around 1900. First recorded in the mid-20th century; likely descended from older hunting exclamations like "yoicks", used to spur on hounds, with the meaning shifting over time into a general cry of alarm.
Is “yikes” a common word?
“Yikes” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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