Aha
/ɑːˈhɑː/noun
An exclamation used to express discovery, realization, surprise, or triumph.
Did you know?Unlike many English words, "aha" is an interjection that likely arose naturally across languages as a spontaneous sound of recognition, which is why it feels almost universal.
Etymological Timeline
Modern English
English
aha
“An exclamation of sudden realization, surprise, or triumph.”
Early Modern English
English
aha
“A cry of exultation, triumph, or discovery.”
Middle English
English
aha
“An exclamation used to express joy, surprise, or derision.”
Old English
English
aha
“An exclamatory sound used in speech, with no fixed lexical meaning.”