# oxy

/ˈɑksi/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/oxy
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a short way to say oxygen. People use this word when talking about breathing or medical equipment in a casual way.

For teachers: a colloquial abbreviation for oxygen. Common in medical, diving, and emergency response contexts to refer to the gas or the equipment used to deliver it.

## Examples

- The patient needs more oxy to breathe.
- The diver checked his oxy levels before starting the long descent to the wreck.
- In high-altitude environments, the body's demand for oxy increases significantly, necessitating supplemental supplies to maintain cognitive function and physical endurance.

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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.
