yikes

[ yahyks ]

interjection

1. (an exclamation of surprise or alarm.)

yikes

/ ˈjaiks /

interjection

1. informal.
   an expression of surprise, fear, or alarm

Word History and Origins

Origin of yikes¹

First recorded in 1940–45; possibly from yoicks

Example Sentences

He may have more words for McDonnell—indeed, many Republicans will, yikes!—if this actually does end up deciding the presidential election.

From Slate

“Don’t want to miss ... but I also don’t want a fungal lung infection again. Yikes.”

From Los Angeles Times

"How ignorant could she be? Did she think that Africans shop from rocks? She needs to travel more and unclog her sadly colonized view of the world. Yikes," raged one user on X.

From BBC

“Yikes!” wrote the RNC Research account on X, formerly known as Twitter.

From Slate

But as powerful as Oprah is, she isn't subject to the political consequences of "yikes" moments like this one.

From Salon