Interjection

/ˌɪntərˈdʒɛkʃən/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A word or phrase that expresses a strong emotion or sudden burst of feeling, often standing alone and not grammatically connected to other parts of the sentence.
Wow! That was an incredible performance.
A word or phrase used to catch attention or express a reaction, often punctuated with an exclamation mark.
Oh! I didn't see you there.
A word that conveys a sentiment or emotion, used at the beginning or end of a sentence.
Alas! The time has come to say goodbye.
A brief exclamation that is typically informal and might indicate agreement, disagreement, or a change of subject.
Hooray! We finally finished the project.

Etymology

From Latin interjectio, from intericere, meaning 'to throw in between'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

Oh my!
An expression of surprise or shock.
Yippee!
An expression of joy or excitement.
Whoa!
An expression used to indicate surprise or astonishment.

Related Words

exclamation
A sudden expression of strong emotion.
phrase
A small group of words standing together as a conceptual unit.
utterance
A spoken word, statement, or vocal sound.

Slang Meanings

Whoa!
Whoa! Did you see that?
Yikes!
Yikes! That was a close call!