# bah

/ˈbɑ/ (US) · /bˈɑː/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Interjection

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bah
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

you say this when you want to show that you do not care about something or think it is silly. It is a quick way to show you are annoyed or do not believe what someone said.

For teachers: expresses dismissive contempt, annoyance, or disbelief. Often associated with a grumpy or cynical persona, particularly in literary contexts.

## Examples

- Bah! I don't believe a word of it.
- When asked if he wanted to join the holiday party, the old man simply muttered 'Bah!' and closed his door.
- He dismissed the entire proposal with a sharp 'Bah!', suggesting that the financial projections were nothing more than optimistic fantasies designed to lure unsuspecting investors.

## Usage notes

- Typically stands alone as a complete utterance or precedes a dismissive statement.

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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.