- oh
- I UK [əʊ] / US [oʊ]
interjection
1)a) used when you start telling someone something, for example something that you have just remembered
Oh darling, did you see that note I left you?
b) used at the beginning of a reply for showing that someone has just reminded you of something"I gave you the money last week, remember?" "Oh yeah, sorry, I completely forgot."
2)a) used for expressing an emotion such as surprise, anger, or happinessOh, what a beautiful view!
Oh, how stupid! I've left the key in the car.
b) used in expressions such as "Oh God!", "Oh dear!", and "Oh no!" for showing an emotion such as surprise, fear, or disappointment. A lot of people may say "Oh God", but it offends some people.3) used in expressions such as "Oh I see" and "Oh right" for showing that you now understand something4) used for accepting someone's answer to your question"You haven't invited her husband, have you?" "Of course I have." "Oh. Well don't expect me to come then."
5) used when you pause because you are thinking about what you are going to sayHe was, oh, sixty at the time.
6) used for showing that you did not know something"He just resigned." "Oh, did he?"
"David should be home next week." "Oh yes?"
7) British used when telling a story for introducing the words that you or someone else has saidThen he says oh I thought you weren't coming.
II UK [əʊ] / US [oʊ] number spokena way of saying "zero", used for example when you are telling someone a telephone number or saying a date, such as 1908
English dictionary. 2014.