Oof
/uːf/noun
An interjection expressing pain, exertion, surprise, or discomfort.
Did you know?Unlike words inherited from Latin or Old English, “oof” is generally classified as an expressive or imitative interjection, meaning its power comes from the human voice itself rather than a traceable ancestral root.
Etymological Timeline
Prehistoric and universal
Human vocalization
*uːf
“A breathy vocal response to pain, effort, or impact; not a reconstructable Proto-Indo-European word”
Early 20th Century
English
oof
“An expressive interjection used to react to physical strain or discomfort”
1920s
American English
oof
“Attested in colloquial English as an exclamation of pain, exertion, or surprise”
Late 20th Century
English
oof
“Expanded into a reaction to awkwardness, bad news, or emotional discomfort”
Modern English
English
oof
“A widely used spoken and written reaction to impact, difficulty, embarrassment, or shock”