# oof

Pronunciation: say "OOF" US /uf/, UK /uːf/

## Interjection

1. A sound imitating a sudden loss of breath, as if someone had just been struck in the solar plexus.
   - Simple: A sound you make when air gets pushed out of you, like after a hit to the stomach.
   - _Oof, the rower grunted as the oar handle slammed into his ribs._
   - _Oof, he landed hard on his back during the judo throw._
2. An exclamation expressing sympathy at someone else's pain or dismay at something like a steep price. *(slang)*
   - Simple: A word you say to show you feel sorry for someone's pain or are shocked by a high price.
   - _Oof, I'm so sorry you broke your arm._
   - _Oof, that repair bill is brutal._

## Noun

3. A noise of pain made by expelling air, as when someone is struck in the body.
   - Simple: A noise of pain that comes out when air is forced from you after a blow.
   - _The wrestler let out an audible oof as he hit the floor._
   - _She heard a muffled oof from behind the door._
4. Something cringeworthy or disappointing, frequently paired with the qualifier big.
   - Simple: Something that makes you feel embarrassed or disappointed.
   - _Showing up a day late to the interview was a real oof._
   - _That typo in the headline was a big oof for the whole team._

## Noun

5. Money, especially cash or available funds. *(dated, UK)*
   - Simple: Money, or the cash someone has on hand.
   - _By the end of the month, his oof had nearly run out._
   - _They blew all their oof on a night at the races._

## Origin

**Meanings 1–4** — An onomatopoeia imitating a sound, similar to Dutch "oef" and German "uff".
**Meaning 5** — A clipping of "ooftish".

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/oof (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).