What does "aah" mean?

1. (amazement or pleasure) you say this when you see something beautiful, impressive, or very cute. 2. (sympathy) you say this to show you feel sorry for someone or understand their pain. 3. (to make the sound) to make a sound of wonder or surprise. 4. (the sound itself) the actual sound of someone saying 'aah'.

aah

UK //ˈɑː// aah

1 amazement or pleasure (interj.)
B1 Intermediate Informal

you say this when you see something beautiful, impressive, or very cute.

an exclamation of wonder, admiration, or satisfaction.

Example

Aah, look at that sunset over the ocean.

Example

Aah, this is exactly the kind of quiet retreat I needed after such a hectic semester.
- ooh
- wow
2 sympathy (interj.)
B1 Intermediate Informal

you say this to show you feel sorry for someone or understand their pain.

an expression of pity, sympathy, or shared emotional pain.

Example

Aah, poor thing, did you hurt your knee?

Example

Aah, I am so sorry to hear about your cat; she was such a lovely companion.
- aww

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3 to make the sound (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

to make a sound of wonder or surprise.

to utter the exclamation 'aah', typically in response to a spectacle or pleasant surprise.

Example

The crowd started to ooh and aah as the fireworks began.

Example

The tourists spent the afternoon oohing and aahing at the intricate gold leaf decorating the cathedral's ceiling.
- exclaim
- gasp
4 the sound itself (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

the actual sound of someone saying 'aah'.

the phonetic realisation of the exclamation, treated as a countable instance of speech.

Example

We heard an aah of delight when she opened her present.

Example

A collective aah rose from the audience as the magician finally revealed the hidden bird.
- exclamation
- cry

Usage

Often used as a standalone exclamation or to introduce a sentence; the meaning is heavily dependent on intonation and context.