zounds
2
9.9
- interjection
- /zaʊndz/
- Archaic
- Zounds! I did not expect to see you here tonight.
Examples
-
He dropped the vase and shouted, 'Zounds! That was close.'
-
In old plays, characters often exclaim 'Zounds!' when surprised or upset.
-
Oh, zounds! I never expected that!
-
Did you hear him say 'zounds' during the meeting?
-
Zounds! I did not expect to see you here tonight.
-
Oh, zounds! I never expected that!
-
He dropped the vase and shouted, 'Zounds! That was close.'
Synonyms
448
7.5
A small amount of care or worry about something
63
9.9
A word people say to show mild surprise
39
9.9
A short word people say to show surprise, discomfort, or embarrassment
29
9.4
A short informal cry showing surprise or strong feeling
16
8.3
A short sound people say to show surprise or excitement
15
9.9
An old-fashioned word people say to show surprise
11
7.5
A short phrase people say to show surprise or shock
10
9.5
A short word people say when they are surprised or shocked
9
9.9
A short sound people make to show surprise or admiration
7
9.9
A short informal word people say when they feel surprise, shock, or annoyance
7
9.9
An old-fashioned shout showing surprise, anger, or strong feeling
7
9.9
An old word people say to show surprise or shock
6
9.1
A short sound people make when they feel a quick pain
2
9.9
A short shout people use to show surprise or excitement, often in a playful way
2
9.9
An old-fashioned shout to show surprise or annoyance
2
9.9
A short cry people make to show strong feelings like anger or pain
2
9.9
An old-fashioned shout said to show surprise or shock
2
9.9
An informal word people say to show surprise, annoyance, or that they do not believe something
1
9.9
A short cry of sudden surprise or fear
1
9.9
A word people used long ago to show surprise
1
9.9
An old word that people say to show surprise or strong feeling
1
9.9
An old word people say to show surprise, anger, or shock
1
9.1
A soft sound you make when something feels good or brings relief
1
8.9
A short sharp cry showing surprise, fear, or excitement
1
9.9
A short phrase people say when they feel surprised or do not believe something
1
9.9
An old-fashioned word said to show surprise or strong feeling
1
9.9
A loud informal shout that shows surprise, shock, or strong annoyance
1
9.9
A rude spoken word used to show surprise, anger or admiration
1
9.9
An old exclamation used to show surprise
A short shout showing surprise, alarm, or disbelief
How Strong
Surface Forms
Etymology
Zounds comes from an old oath that shortened God's wounds, meaning 'the wounds of Christ'. People used that strong religious cry to show shock or anger, and over time it became a short, old-fashioned exclamation for surprise or upset.