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ouch

ouch

134 2.8
A short cry people make when they feel sudden physical or emotional pain
  • interjection
  • /aʊtʃ/
  • Informal
translation icon : ¡ay!
  • It didn't break the, the skin, but I was like, wow, Ouch, Ouch.
  • say "ouch"
  • ouch, that hurts
  • ow, ouch

Oh, Ouch, that's going to sting like hell.

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Examples

  • "You're doing just fine, honey." "Ouch." Quinn picked a tiny shard of glass from his thumb.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • My, my, what I teach people is to just say Ouch, that hurt.

  • I remember thinking, "Ouch!" when I heard that comment.

    Academic text (2006)
  • You know, if I put my finger on a hot stove, Ouch, I feel something.

  • And pretty soon, anytime anyone touches you in that spot, Ouch, it's going to hurt.

  • It is the brain's way of saying Ouch, slow down and begin the healing process.

  • When I accidentally stepped on a thorn, I cried, "Ouch!"

  • He dropped a heavy box on his foot and exclaimed, "Ouch!"

  • After he fell off his bike, he shouted, "Ouch! That really hurt!"

Synonyms

ugh
vsouch
  • Informal
282 7.9

A short sound people make to show disgust or annoyance

is used primarily for sudden pain or emotional hurt
ahh
vsouch
24 7.9

A short cry people make when they feel sudden pain or shock

focuses more broadly on sudden pain or emotional hurt
oww
vsouch
  • Informal
22 9.3

A short cry you make when something suddenly hurts

is used for sudden physical or emotional pain more broadly
ach
vsouch
7 9.9

A short sound people make to show surprise, pain, or annoyance

centres on sudden pain or discomfort rather than surprise
oooh
vsouch
  • Informal
7 9.1

A short sound people make when they feel a quick pain

expresses sudden pain or stronger emotional discomfort instead
unh
vsouch
  • Informal
4 9.9

A short sound you make when you feel pain or are annoyed

is used more for sudden acute pain or emotional hurt
aagh
vsouch
  • Informal
3 9.9

A short cry people make when they feel pain or are annoyed

focuses mainly on sudden pain or emotional discomfort
och
vsouch
  • UK
2 9.9

A short word people say to show surprise, mild pain, or strong feeling

is a general exclamation for sudden pain or emotional discomfort
aaahh
vsouch
  • Informal
2 9.9

A short cry that shows fear, pain, or alarm

is used for sudden pain or emotional discomfort without alarm
augh
vsouch
  • Informal
9.9

A short cry showing sudden pain or hurt

is used generally for sudden pain or emotional discomfort

How Painful

oww
  • Informal
22 9.3
ouch
  • Informal
134 2.8
aaah
  • Informal
59 8.8
argh
  • Informal
67 8.8

Surface Forms

ouch main

Etymology

Ouch comes from the short, sharp sound people make when they are hurt, similar to the even shorter ow, and it works like a quick 'cry' of pain. That's why we use ouch to show sudden physical or emotional pain.