ooh

Everyday

1. Ooh is a sound people make to show surprise, delight, interest or admiration. tree →
2. Ooh can show pain or worry, as when something hurts or looks dangerous. tree →
3. «Oohs and aahs» means sounds of wonder from a crowd. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday talk and stories, characters say «Ooh!» when they see something lovely, tasty or surprising, like fireworks or cake. Writers use it to show a feeling quickly. Phrases: «ooh and aah», «Ooh, that's nice!», «Ooh, that hurts».

Examples

• Ooh, look at those fireworks! tree →
• Ooh, is that chocolate cake? tree →
• Ooh, that must have hurt! tree →
• The crowd oohed and aahed at the acrobats. tree →
• Ooh, I've just had a brilliant idea. tree →
• «Ooh,» said Gran, «what a lovely surprise!» tree →
• "Ooh! the stone, the great big stone! ooh! the stones on top!" tree →

Note

An interjection (an exclamation), not a full word with forms; it can be used as a verb in «oohed and aahed». Spelling varies: ooh, oooh. Not the same as «oh» (a short surprise) or «ouch» (pain). Informal, used in speech and dialogue.