oy

¹

or oi

[ oi ]

interjection

1. (used to express dismay, pain, annoyance, grief, etc.)

oy

²

or oe

[ oi ]

noun

, Scot.

1. a grandchild.
2. Obsolete. a nephew or niece.

Word History and Origins

Origin of oy¹

Borrowed into English from Yiddish around 1890–95

Origin of oy²

1425–75; late Middle English (north and Scots ) o ( o ), oy ( e ) < Scots Gaelic ogha; see O'

Example Sentences

“OY Brian Williams is so awful,” columnist Amy Dickinson wrote on Bluesky.

From Salon

“Come here, Danieleh” means “Oy get over here you delicious thing I have such a hug for you!”

From Salon

“Oy yo yo yo yo yo yo,” said the superstar maestro Gustavo Dudamel, who was leading the rehearsal.

From New York Times

Microsoft Corp. and Unilever Plc, Finland’s Framery Oy is one of the biggest worldwide sellers of privacy booths, a staple of post-pandemic offices and one of the fastest-growing segments of the office-furniture market.

From Seattle Times

The Treasury slapped sanctions on Finland-based logistics firms Siberica Oy and Luminor Oy, accusing them of sending a wide variety of electronics into Russia.

From Reuters