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Glite Dictionary
😮 An exclamation 📢 A sudden cry 😫 To cry out
yow

yow

13 9.9
A short cry said to show surprise, excitement, or sudden pain
  • interjection
  • /jaʊ/
  • Informal
translation icon : ¡ay!
  • Yow... what a story!
  • Yow! Ow
  • Oh! Yow
  • Yow! Wow

Examples

  • "Yow!" she exclaimed, startled by the sudden loud noise.

  • "Let me out just a little farther—yow!"

    Fiction book (1995)

  • I continued to run, but yow! did I pay for it later...

    Blog text (12)

  • " Yow!" went the gas man.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • I can't get the image out of my head of Rex shouting, "YOW!"

    Blog text (29)

  • "Yow!" exclaimed Morgan as a hot coal burned his stomach.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • "Yow!" he shouted, pulling his hand away after touching the hot stove.

  • "Yow, that's incredible!" she said when she saw the surprise party.

Synonyms

ah
vsyow
∞ 1.0

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

often signals a sharp sudden feeling like pain or excitement
whoa
vsyow
  • Informal
∞ 7.2

To say when surprised or when you want someone to stop suddenly

focuses on feeling sudden excitement or pain rather than stopping
wow
vsyow
  • Informal
∞ 1.0

A short word people say to show surprise or admiration

adds the option of sudden pain as well as excitement
yay
vsyow
  • Informal
185 6.0

A short shout people make to show happiness or excitement

also covers sudden surprise and sometimes quick pain
boo
vsyow
108 6.3

A short cry used to surprise or scare someone playfully

is a personal reaction expressing surprise, excitement, or pain
hah
vsyow
  • Informal
76 4.6

A short laugh showing surprise or small victory

is less about triumph and more about sudden feeling or pain
whee
vsyow
  • Informal
39 8.5

A shout you make when something is fun, for example on a ride

is broader, covering surprise and sudden pain as well
aaaah
vsyow
  • Informal
30 7.5

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

is often shorter and can express excitement as well
holy shit
vsyow
  • Offensive
26 9.9

A strong phrase people say when they are very surprised or shocked

is similar but can be used for sudden pain in milder form
ahh
vsyow
24 7.9

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

also expresses excitement in addition to surprise or pain
golly
vsyow
  • Archaic
24 9.9

A word people say to show mild surprise

is more flexible and can express excitement or sudden pain
oww
vsyow
  • Informal
22 9.3

A short cry you make when something suddenly hurts

also covers surprise and excitement beyond pure physical pain
lordy
vsyow
  • Informal
17 9.4

A short informal cry showing surprise or strong feeling

is more likely to be used for sudden excitement or pain
ooooh
vsyow
  • Informal
16 8.3

A short sound people say to show surprise or excitement

often also conveys sudden pain as a physical reaction
waah
vsyow
  • Informal
15 9.9

A short shout showing surprise or admiration

also fits sudden pain as well as simple excitement
woah
vsyow
  • Informal
14 8.8

A short cry people use to show surprise or amazement

includes sudden pain as a possible reaction as well
wah
vsyow
  • Informal
14 9.9

A short cry showing surprise or excitement

is similar but also commonly signals sudden pain
oooh
vsyow
  • Informal
7 9.1

A short sound people make when they feel a quick pain

is usually stronger and often signals excitement as well
gawd
vsyow
  • Slang
4 9.9

A short informal word people say when they feel surprise, shock, or annoyance

leans more toward sudden pleasure or pain along with surprise
yowl
vsyow
3 7.2

A loud, long cry that sounds like an animal in pain

is shorter and used for sudden surprise, excitement, or pain
egad
vsyow
  • Archaic
3 9.9

An old word people say to show surprise or shock

is more informal and can convey sudden physical pain or thrill
yippie
vsyow
  • Informal
2 8.7

A short shout people make to show excitement or happiness

also covers sudden surprise and sometimes sudden pain
whammo
vsyow
  • Informal
2 9.9

A short shout showing sudden surprise or strong impact

is similar but can also express simple excitement or pain
aaahh
vsyow
  • Informal
2 9.9

A short cry that shows fear, pain, or alarm

is less alarmed and can show excitement as well
aagh
vsyow
  • Informal
1 9.9

A short cry people make when they are suddenly scared

is less fearful and can express excitement or pain instead
yike
vsyow
  • Informal
1 9.9

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

is more about strong surprise or energetic pain rather than shame
woa
vsyow
  • Informal
1 9.9

A short shout showing surprise or asking for attention

is more about feeling surprise, excitement, or sudden pain
yowie
vsyow
  • Australian
9.9

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

is used more often for excitement rather than disgust
yipe
vsyow
  • Informal
9.6

A short cry showing surprise, fear, or excitement

is similar but often leans more toward sudden pain
yipes
vsyow
  • Informal
9.9

A short cry of sudden surprise or fear

is more likely to include excitement or sudden pain
zowie
vsyow
  • Archaic
9.9

A short shout people use to show surprise or excitement, often in a playful way

is a more modern, general exclamation including sudden pain
yoicks
vsyow
  • Archaic
9.9

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

is more direct and often conveys excitement or sharp pain
to whew
vsyow
  • Informal
9.1

To make a short sound by breathing out to show relief, surprise, or tiredness

is more of a quick emotional outcry for surprise or pain
egads
vsyow
  • Archaic
9.9

An old-fashioned shout said to show surprise or shock

is used more casually and can signal excitement or pain
whillikers
vsyow
  • Archaic
9.9

A word people used long ago to show surprise

is modern and often expresses energetic excitement or pain
swounds
vsyow
  • Archaic
9.9

An old word people say to show surprise, anger, or shock

is current and used for sudden feelings like pain or delight

How Strong

ouch
  • Informal
134 2.8
yow
  • Informal
13 9.9
wow
  • Informal
∞ 1.0
oh
∞ 1.0
ah
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

yow main

Etymology

Yow is a short, sharp sound people make, like ow for 'pain' but with the push of a yell or the start of a yowl. A helpful way to remember it is to think of adding a quick 'y' to 'ow', so yow is used as a sudden cry for 'surprise', 'excitement', or 'pain'.