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crikey

crikey

1 9.9
A short informal word people say to show surprise or shock
  • interjection
  • /ˈkraɪki/
  • UK
translation icon : ¡vaya!
  • - Oh crikey.
  • Oh, crikey

No one in Australia drinks fosters, no one in Australia says Crikey.

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Examples

  • Oh crikey, what's this?

  • Had a moment of thinking on seeing the news about his his his death thinking crikey, can you do that in America?

  • Oh, crikey, I'm useless in sketching on the spot because because.

  • Cracky, crikey, cracky, crikey, crikey, crikey.

  • Oh, crikey, I didn't expect that news about the storm!

  • Crikey, that was an amazing performance!

  • Oh crikey, I can't believe how quickly the situation changed!

Synonyms

what the heck
vscrikey
  • Informal
90 8.9

A short cry to show surprise, confusion, disbelief, or casual acceptance

is a direct surprised exclamation rather than a puzzled question
holy shit
vscrikey
  • Offensive
26 9.9

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

is informal and strong but less explicit
golly
vscrikey
  • Archaic
24 9.9

A word people say to show mild surprise

is informal but often more emphatic and modern
sheesh
vscrikey
  • Slang
22 9.8

A short word people say to show surprise, admiration, or annoyance

focuses mainly on surprise and astonishment in reaction
lordy
vscrikey
  • Informal
17 9.4

A short informal cry showing surprise or strong feeling

is similar but often used more playfully or lightly
ooooh
vscrikey
  • Informal
16 8.3

A short sound people say to show surprise or excitement

is a short sharp exclamation used for quick surprise
holy cow
vscrikey
  • Informal
8 7.6

A short phrase people say to show surprise or disbelief

is similar but often feels more British and playful
goodness gracious
vscrikey
  • Archaic
5 7.5

A short phrase people say to show surprise or shock

is more casual and shorter in everyday speech
gawd
vscrikey
  • Slang
4 9.9

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

is informal too but usually less blunt or intense
blimey
vscrikey
  • UK
4 9.5

A short word people say when they are surprised or shocked

is equally informal but often feels slightly milder and playful
holy crap
vscrikey
  • Offensive
3 9.6

To say when you are very surprised or shocked

is informal too but usually milder and less vulgar
cripes
vscrikey
  • Archaic
9.9

A mild old-fashioned exclamation showing surprise or annoyance

is informal and used more broadly in lively speech
jeepers
vscrikey
  • Archaic
9.9

An old-fashioned word people say to show surprise

is more current and used across ages and contexts
Jiminy Cricket
vscrikey
  • Archaic
9.9

A mild word people say when they are surprised or annoyed

is informal too but less tied to quaint or comic tone
whillikers
vscrikey
  • Archaic
9.9

A word people used long ago to show surprise

is informal but used more broadly today, not just quaintly
mirabile dictu
vscrikey
  • Archaic
9.9

A short phrase people say to show surprise at something amazing

is colloquial and used in everyday surprised speech
to OMG
vscrikey
  • Slang
8.3

To say or write a short exclamation to show surprise

is oral and suits spoken exclamation rather than an abbreviation
yikes on bikes
vscrikey
  • Informal
9.9

A short shout showing surprise, alarm, or disbelief

is simpler and used for straightforward surprise
ecky thump
vscrikey
  • Archaic
9.9

A short shout showing surprise or disbelief

is standard informal speech used across wider areas
dinkum
vscrikey
  • Australian
9.9

An exclamation that asks if something is true or shows surprise

expresses surprise alone without asking for confirmation

Surface Forms

crikey main

Etymology

Crikey is a word people say to show 'surprise' or 'shock'. A helpful way to remember it is that it likely began as a softer way to say the name Christ when people wanted to avoid strong language, so crikey still feels like a mild, sudden reaction used especially in Britain and Australia.