Oops
/uːps/noun
An exclamation used to express minor surprise, embarrassment, or acknowledgment of a mistake.
Did you know?‘Oops’ is an expressive interjection, not a spellword with a deep ancient root, but it likely grew from older exclamations like ‘ups’ and ‘op,’ which speakers used when something went wrong or was suddenly noticed.
Etymological Timeline
16th–18th Century
English
ups / op / oops
“Spontaneous exclamations used on noticing a slip, stumble, or small accident.”
18th–19th Century
English
oops
“A brief cry of surprise or alarm, especially after a minor mishap.”
20th Century
English
oops
“A casual acknowledgment of error or embarrassment in speech and writing.”
Modern English
English
oops
“A common interjection for a small mistake, surprise, or self-correction.”