yikes

interjection

YYKS/jaɪks/

2 meanings of yikes

1
interjectioncolloquialhumorous
Said when something suddenly scares or surprises you.
Yikes, that spider is huge!
When the lights went out, all I could say was yikes.
Similareek, whoa, gosh, jeez
2
interjectioncolloquialhumorous
Said to show you feel bad about someone's unpleasant situation.
Yikes, that sounds like a really rough week for you.
You lost your wallet on vacation too? Yikes.
Similarouch, oof

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Origin

First seen in the mid-1900s. It may come from "yoicks," an old hunting call to urge hounds after a fox, or from "yipes," a similar older exclamation. The full origin is not certain.