interjection

yow

thow

Yow (interjection) means an exclamation of sudden pain. Example: “Yow! That water is freezing.”

interjection

An exclamation of sudden pain.

"Yow! That water is freezing."

An exclamation of surprise, often used humorously.

"Yow, I didn't expect that plot twist!"

How to use yow

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA shout of pain or surprise, similar to "ouch" or "whoa."

When to use it

Informal and mostly spoken; rarely appears in formal writing.

Yows plural

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Test yourself on “yow” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Can you complete this real example?

_____! That water is freezing.

ouch youch

ow ouch

What does “yow” mean?

The word “yow” means an exclamation of sudden pain. In plain terms, a shout of pain or surprise, similar to "ouch" or "whoa.".

How do you pronounce “yow”?

“Yow” is pronounced thow (/ðaʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “yow” in a sentence?

Here is “yow” used in a sentence: “Yow! That water is freezing.”

What is another word for “yow”?

Words with a similar meaning to “yow” include ouch and youch.

What part of speech is “yow”?

“Yow” is an interjection.

How many meanings does “yow” have?

“Yow” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an exclamation of sudden pain.

Vocabulary lists that include yow:

ow ouch