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aah

aah

932 6.9
A sound people say to show surprise, relief, or pleasure
  • interjection
  • /ɑː/
  • Informal
translation icon : ¡ah!
  • Both of the women ooh and aah over Caroline's dress.
  • ooh and aah

Examples

  • After the thrilling roller coaster ride, everyone let out a loud "Aah!" of excitement.

  • "Aah," she says, sitting down, swinging her feet into the water.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • - Catch me! - Aah!

  • Aah, that was a good loose meat sandwich.

  • I love to show it to friends who haven't seen it before because they always "ooh" and "aah"!

    Academic text (1999)
  • "Aah, Billy," he laughed, "they're not worried about you exploding anything."

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Each time I went in, the doc, PA, and nurses gathered around to ooh and aah over and scratch their heads at what they considered "impossible."

    Blog text (30)
  • While adoring fans "ooh" and "aah," the screen celebrities grant brief interviews to a prominent gossip columnist.

    Academic text (2003)
  • "Aah," she sighed with relief after finishing the exam.

  • When she received the good news, she exclaimed, "Aah, that's wonderful!"

Synonyms

ah
vsaah
1.0

A short sound people make to show surprise, relief, or pleasure

places more weight on satisfaction than sudden realization
hoo
vsaah
  • Informal
359 9.9

A shout people make to show excitement or surprise

is often used for relief or satisfaction rather than excitement
yay
vsaah
  • Informal
185 6.0

A short shout people make to show happiness or excitement

is used more often for surprise or relief than simple happiness
ahh
vsaah
101 8.8

A short sound people make when they feel relief, pleasure, or sudden understanding

is more tied to satisfaction than brief sudden understanding
hooray
vsaah
  • Informal
43 1.4

A short shout to show excitement or happiness

is used more often for surprise or quiet pleasure than public celebration
rah
vsaah
  • Informal
40 8.5

A shout people make to show excitement or encouragement at sports

is used more for individual surprise, relief, or satisfaction
ooo
vsaah
  • Informal
36 9.4

A short sound people say to show surprise or admiration

is more used for quiet satisfaction and relief than loud admiration
aaah
vsaah
  • Informal
34 8.4

A sound people make when they suddenly understand or feel pleased

adds a sense of satisfaction rather than focusing on realization
oooh
vsaah
  • Informal
31 8.7

A quiet sound people make when they are surprised or impressed

is more commonly for pleasure or relief than pure admiration
aaaah
vsaah
  • Informal
30 7.5

A short loud sound people make to show strong feeling, like fear or surprise

focuses on satisfaction and pleasant feelings rather than fear or pain
ooooh
vsaah
  • Informal
16 8.3

A short sound people say to show surprise or excitement

is more often for satisfaction than sudden realization
waah
vsaah
  • Informal
15 9.9

A short shout showing surprise or admiration

is used more for calm satisfaction or relief than informal amazement
woah
vsaah
  • Informal
14 8.8

A short cry people use to show surprise or amazement

is used more for relief and quiet pleasure than disbelief
wah
vsaah
  • Informal
14 9.9

A short cry showing surprise or excitement

is often used for relief or satisfaction rather than admiration
to ooh
vsaah
  • Informal
5 9.1

To make a short sound that shows admiration or surprise

is used more for surprise or relief than for simple admiration
woohoo
vsaah
  • Informal
5 7.4

A loud shout people make to show excitement or joy

is used more for surprise, relief, or quiet satisfaction
hurray
vsaah
5 2.6

A shout people make when they are happy or excited

is more often used for surprise, relief, or private pleasure
aaahh
vsaah
  • Informal
4 9.1

A soft sound you make when something feels good or brings relief

also includes satisfaction as a common meaning
oooo
vsaah
  • Informal
3 9.9

A short sound people make to show surprise or admiration

leans more toward satisfaction or relief than loud admiration
hoorah
vsaah
  • Informal
3 7.9

A short shout people say to show joy or approval

is used more for personal surprise, relief, or satisfaction
huzzah
vsaah
  • Archaic
3 9.9

A loud old-fashioned word people shout to show joy or approval

is more common for surprise and relief in modern speech
ohhhh
vsaah
  • NSFW
2 8.7

A long sound people make when they feel pleasure

covers surprise and relief as well as general pleasure
haaa
vsaah
  • Informal
1 9.9

A long quiet sound made when you feel relieved or tired

is shorter and used for quick surprise or pleasure
hoho
vsaah
  • Informal
1 8.4

A short laugh that shows surprise or amusement

is used more for pleasure or relief than for amused laughter
wooo
vsaah
  • Informal
1 8.2

A loud shout people make to show excitement

is used more for surprise, relief, or quiet satisfaction
aaa
vsaah
  • Informal
1 8.6

A short shout showing excitement or joy

is more for calm satisfaction or relief than loud excitement
wahoo
vsaah
  • Informal
9.3

A loud shout to show joy or excitement

is more likely used for surprise or relief than for triumph
to hurrah
vsaah
8.1

To shout loudly to show joy or approval

is used instead for surprise, relief, or private satisfaction
hoojah
vsaah
  • Informal
9.9

A loud shout of joy people make together at events like games

is used more for single-person surprise, relief, or calm pleasure

How Pleased

wow
  • Informal
1.0
ooh
  • Informal
7.2
aah
  • Informal
932 6.9
ah
1.0
oh
1.0

Surface Forms

aah main

Etymology

The interjection aah is the long 'ah' sound people make to show 'relief', 'pleasure', or 'surprise', like saying ah or ooh. That's why aah is used as a short exclamation when something feels good or is surprising.