# oof

/ˈuːf/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Interjection

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

## Definition

an exclamation you use when you see or hear something painful, embarrassing, or surprising. It is like a verbal reaction to a 'gut punch' or a big mistake.

For teachers: an utterance expressing sympathy, discomfort, or a reaction to a perceived social or physical blow. Common in digital communication to acknowledge a mistake or a difficult situation.

## Examples

- Oof, that looks like it really hurt.
- When I told him the repair would cost a thousand dollars, he just replied with a long 'Oof'.
- The audience let out a collective 'oof' as the protagonist made the exact social blunder they had been dreading for the entire scene.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as a standalone reaction or at the start of a sentence; very common in text-based internet slang.

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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.