# aha

/ˌɑˈhɑ/ (US) · /ɑːhˈɑː/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Interjection

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/aha
Updated: 2026-05-31

## Definition

a sound you make when you suddenly understand something or find the answer to a problem. You use it to show you are surprised or happy about a new discovery.

For teachers: an exclamation used to express sudden realization, triumph, or discovery. Often used when a previously hidden truth or solution becomes apparent.

## Examples

- Aha! I finally found where I left my keys.
- Aha! So you were the one who ate the last piece of cake after all.
- The detective stared at the ledger for hours until, with a sudden 'Aha!', he realized the dates had been falsified to hide the missing funds.

## Usage notes

- Used as a standalone exclamation or to introduce a sentence; typically followed by a comma or an exclamation mark.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.