🐕 Hunting call 😲 Surprised exclamation

yoicks

9.9

An old, playful shout showing surprise, alarm, or disgust

interjection

Archaic

: ¡vaya!

Yoicks! What a surprise to see you here!

Examples

He shouted yoicks as the cold water splashed over his feet.
Did you just say that? Yoicks!
When the dog suddenly jumped onto the table, she exclaimed yoicks in surprise.
The old movie character would often say yoicks in moments of shock.
When the cat jumped on the counter, she exclaimed yoicks in surprise.
As he opened the unexpected letter, he shouted yoicks in alarm.
Seeing the sudden downpour, she gasped, yoicks, I didn't bring my umbrella!

Synonyms

golly

vsyoicks

Archaic

24 9.9

A word people say to show mild surprise

is more likely to sound humorous and include faint disgust or alarm

yow

vsyoicks

Informal

13 9.9

A short cry said to show surprise, excitement, or sudden pain

is less about physical pain and more about amused alarm with mild disgust

eek

vsyoicks

Informal

5 9.6

A short cry of fear or surprise when something suddenly scares you

is broader, adding mild disgust and a humorous, old fashioned flavour

yuk

vsyoicks

Informal

4 9.5

An exclamation used to show disgust or strong dislike

can include disgust but also adds surprise and an old fashioned playful tone

ick

vsyoicks

Informal

4 9.7

A quick word you say to show disgust

is more mixed, combining mild disgust with alarm and humorous old style

yech

vsyoicks

Informal

3 9.9

A short word people say to show disgust

is less direct, blending mild disgust with surprise and old fashioned charm

geesh

vsyoicks

Informal

2 9.9

An informal word people say to show surprise, annoyance, or that they do not believe something

is less modern, adding an old fashioned humorous tone and mild disgust

yike

vsyoicks

Informal

1 9.9

A short word people say to show surprise, discomfort, or embarrassment

is more old fashioned and can include mild disgust rather than embarrassment

fricking

vsyoicks

Slang

1 9.7

Say to show anger, surprise, or frustration

is less angry and more playful, often including mild disgust or alarm

yeech

vsyoicks

Informal

1 9.9

A short sound people say to show disgust

is softer and more playful, adding surprise or mild alarm to disgust

yikes on bikes

vsyoicks

Informal

9.9

A short shout showing surprise, alarm, or disbelief

leans more toward mild disgust and old fashioned humour than pure alarm

yipes

vsyoicks

Informal

9.9

A short cry of sudden surprise or fear

is less about fear and more about mixed surprise with mild disgust

yipe

vsyoicks

Informal

9.6

A short cry showing surprise, fear, or excitement

is milder and more likely to include old fashioned humour or disgust

gadzooks

vsyoicks

Archaic

9.9

An old-fashioned shout to show surprise or annoyance

is similar but tends to be more playful and can show mild disgust

jeepers

vsyoicks

Archaic

9.9

An old-fashioned word people say to show surprise

is similarly old fashioned but often adds mild disgust or alarm

frick

vsyoicks

Slang

9.9

A mild bad word people say to show anger or surprise

carries older, playful feeling and a hint of disgust rather than pure annoyance

yowie

vsyoicks

Australian

9.9

A short cry people say when surprised, hurt, or disgusted

is milder and more old fashioned, often used humorously rather than seriously

How Surprised

eek

Informal

5 9.6

to yike

Informal

1 9.9

yoicks

Archaic

9.9

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

yoicks main

Etymology

Yoicks began as an old hunting cry used to urge the hounds during a chase. Because it was a sudden, loud shout, people later used it as a playful way to show surprise or mild disgust, a bit like yikes.