to yike
To make a short sound to show surprise, embarrassment, or mild disgust
- verb
- /jaɪk/
- Informal
- I liked Mankiewicz from his days hosting TCM's Cartoon Alley, but the other guy—yikes.
Examples
-
When she heard the unexpected news, she let out a surprised, 'yikes!'
-
He accidentally spilled coffee on his shirt and said, 'Yikes, that's embarrassing!'
-
Yikes! I didn't see that massive hole in the ground.
Synonyms
8.3
To say or write a short exclamation to show surprise
expresses sudden surprise, embarrassment, or mild disgust instead
How Loud
to scream
∞
1.0
to shout
644
1.0
to exclaim
81
3.4
to yike
1
9.9
- Informal
to murmur
11
4.2
to whisper
586
1.0
Surface Forms
Etymology
Yike as a verb comes from making the quick sound of yikes or yuck when something startles or annoys you. So, to yike is to give that short, sudden sound or reaction of 'surprise' or mild 'disgust'.