Interjections in English is easy. In this article, you will learn to know the expressions in an easy and simple way, and if you want to improve the English language, you must learn interjections in English.
What is an interjection?
An interjection is a word or expression that occurs as an utterance on its own and expresses a spontaneous feeling or reaction. It is a diverse category, encompassing many different parts of speech, such as exclamations (ouch!, wow!), curses (damn!), greetings (hey, bye), response particles (okay, oh!, m-hm, huh?), hesitation markers (uh, er, um), and other words (stop, cool).
Interjections usually stand apart from normal sentences, defiantly maintaining their syntactic independence, and they show up more frequently in spoken English than in writing.
How to use interjections in writing?
Interjections in English are often at the beginning of a sentence, but they can also appear in the middle or end of a sentence. In any case, writers and speakers use interjections to emphasize and convey feelings. Interjections are not often used in academic writing or formal writing, as their role in expressing emotion is considered excessive in such contexts.
Interjections in English
Among the most frequently used interjections in English are those expressing joy, surprise, indignation, fear, frustration, and others. Entries are short exclamation points like Alas, Boo, or Jeez.
Let's read the 100+ interjections in English:
1. Ah: used to express understanding, pleasure, pain, surprise, or the fact that you have noticed something.
- Ah, Jessica, how wonderful to see you!
2. Aha: used when you suddenly understand or find something.
- Aha, now I see what you mean!
3. Ahem: used to represent the little cough that someone makes to express slight embarrassment, enjoyment, doubt, or disapproval, or to attract attention.
- Ahem, could you boys stop talking so we could get on with class, please?
4. Alas: an expression of sadness or disappointment, especially when there is no hope that a situation will change.
- I love football but, alas, I have no talent as a player.
5. Amen: said or sung at the end of a prayer or a religious song to express agreement with what has been said.
- Two public service announcements will address the habit of running red lights. “Amen to that!”
6. Aw: used to express disapproval or sympathy.
- Aw, do we have to?
7. Awesome: causing feelings of great admiration, respect, or fear.
- You two are dating? Awesome!
8. Aww: used to express pleasure, delight, or affection, especially in response to something regarded as sweet or endearing.
- Aww, the kitten is too cute!
9. Bada-bing (bada-bing, bada-bing, bada-boom): used especially to emphasize something regarded as surprising, sudden, effortlessly achieved, or impressive.
- This was all it really took? A mass, a prayer and bada bing! Absolution?
10. Bah humbug: an expression used when someone does not approve of or enjoy something that other people enjoy, especially a special occasion such as Christmas.
- 31% of people think we spend too much time shopping for presents. Bah humbug!
11. Baloney: foolish or deceptive talk; nonsense.
- Oh, baloney. I don't believe that.
12. Big deal: said when you do not think that what someone has said or done is important or special.
- I ran five miles this morning. Big deal! I ran ten.
See: 13 Confused Words With Meanings and Pictures in English
13. Bingo: used to express satisfaction at a sudden positive event or outcome.
- Bingo! Right on target!
14. Boo: someone you care about, especially a boyfriend, girlfriend, or other close friend.
- Come on, boo. Let's go.
15. Boo-hoo: used to represent the sound of someone crying noisily.
- Boohoo, nobody loves me!
16. Booyah (boo-yah): used to express joy, especially over a well-played or victorious moment in sport.
- He could belt out an exuberant ‘Booyah!’
17. Boy (boy oh boy): used to express excitement, worry, disappointment, etc. or to emphasize something.
- Boy, that was good!
18. Bravo: used to express approval when a performer or other person has done something well.
- People kept on clapping and shouting “bravo!”.
19. Brilliant: very good.
- Oh, brilliant! My parcel's arrived.
20. Brrr: used to express someone's reaction to feeling cold.
- Brrr! It's a freezing cold day.
21. Bull: nonsense or a lie.
- Don’t give me that bull about not getting my message.
22. Bye (bye-bye): goodbye.
- Bye! See you next week!
23. Cheers: used to mean "thank you".
- I've bought you a drink. Cheers, mate.
24. Cheers!: a friendly expression said just before you drink an alcoholic drink.
- Cheers! Your good health.
25. Come on (c'mon): said when encouraging someone to do something or to hurry up or when one feels that someone is wrong or foolish.
- Come on! We must hurry!
26. Cool: excellent; very good.
- A: So how was the concert? B: It was cool!
27. Cowabunga: used to express delight or satisfaction.
- Cowabunga! It's an actor's dream.
28. Dang: used to express anger.
- Dang, I broke the glass!
29. Darn (darn it): used instead of damn to express anger.
- Darn it! There goes my bus!
30. Dear me: a polite exclamation expressing surprise, distress, sympathy, etc.
- Dear me, I forgot to mail it.
31. Duck: a friendly way of talking to someone you like.
- Come and sit beside me, duck.
32. Duh: used to comment on an action perceived as foolish or stupid, or a statement perceived as obvious.
- I left the keys in the ignition—duh!
33. Eh: used to express surprise or confusion, to ask someone to repeat what they have said, or as a way of getting someone to give some type of reaction to a statement that you have made.
- Janet's leaving her husband. Eh?
34. Enjoy: used to urge someone to take pleasure in what is being offered or is about to happen.
- Bake until the filling starts to bubble and the crust turns golden brown. Enjoy!
35. Excellent: extremely good.
- Our sales are up for the third year in a row. "Excellent." (= I'm extremely pleased.)
See: Compound Words: Types and Examples
36. Fabulous: very good; wonderful.
- Fabulous! That's just wonderful!
37. Fantastic: extraordinarily good or attractive.
- Fantastic! I just love it!
38. Fiddledeedee (fiddle-dee-dee): used to express irritation, dismissive indifference, or scorn.
- Fiddle-dee-dee! cried Scarlett, beginning to be irritated.
39. Finally: at the end, or after some delay.
- Finally, I just said, I don’t care.
40. For heaven's sake(s): used to make a statement or question more forceful or to express surprise, anger, etc.
- For heaven's sake, turn down that music!
41. Fore: used in golf to warn people that a ball is travelling through the air.
- If you play golf, there's a good chance you're going to get hit. That's why everybody yells, "Fore!"
42. Foul: containing or full of noxious matter; polluted.
- Foul, swampy water.
43. Freeze: someone such as a police officer who says freeze is ordering you not to move except as the person tells you.
- Freeze! Keep your hands up!
44. Gee (gee whiz, gee willikers): an expression of surprise or enthusiasm.
- Gee, that looks like fun!
45. Golly (good golly, golly gee willikers): used to express surprise, or to emphasize what you are saying.
- He broke his arm and he’ll be out for weeks. Golly, that’s terrible.
46. Good heavens/grief/gracious!: used to emphasize how surprised, angry, shocked, etc. you are.
- Good heavens! How did that happen?
47. Goodbye (good-bye): used when someone leaves.
- Goodbye Bill! See you next week.
48. Gosh: used to express surprise or give emphasis.
- gosh, we envy you.
49. Great balls of fire: An exclamation of surprise and amazement.
- Did you see that game? Great balls of fire—the Yankees tied it up with two outs in the bottom of the ninth!
See: All English Antonyms List
50. Great: very good.
- I'll lend you the car if you like. Great! Thanks a lot!
51. Ha: used to express satisfaction that something bad has happened to someone who deserved it, or to show that you have succeeded in something.
- He left her? Ha! That'll teach her to go chasing other women's husbands!
52. Hallelujah: God be praised (uttered in worship or as an expression of rejoicing).
- Glory be to God, hallelujah!
53. Heavens (heavens above, heavens to Betsy): an expression of surprise, anger, annoyance, or emphasis.
- Oh, heavens! How could you think that?
54. Heigh-ho: used to express the fact that you cannot change a situation so you must accept it.
- Heigh-ho neighbor! How are you?
55. Hello: used when meeting or greeting someone.
- Hello, Paul. I haven't seen you for ages.
56. Help: shouted by a person who is asking for someone to come and save them from a dangerous situation.
- Help! I'm drowning! Don't panic - I'm coming!
57. Hey (hey there): Used to attract attention or to express surprise, appreciation, wonder, or pleasure.
- Hey! Look over there!
58. Hi (hiya): used as an informal greeting, usually to people who you know.
- Hi, how are you doing?
59. Hip, hip, hooray: an expression that is called out, often by a group of people at the same time, to express approval of someone.
- Three cheers for the bride and groom! Hip, hip, hooray!
60. Hmm (hrm): something you say when you pause while talking or when you are uncertain.
- Which one do you like best? Hmm. I'm not sure.
61. Ho-ho-ho: used to represent laughter.
- Ho-ho-ho, Merry Christmas!
62. Ho-hum: an expression used when someone is bored, or when they accept that something unpleasant cannot be stopped from happening.
- So I need to do it all again. Ho-hum.
63. Holy mackerel (holy cow, holy moly, holy Moses, holy smokes): used to show that you think something is surprising, shocking, or impressive.
- Holy mackerel, that's a lot!
64. Hooray (hurrah, hurray): used to express joy, approval, or encouragement.
- Hooray! I got the job!
65. Howdy (howdy do): used as a greeting; hello.
- Howdy, folks! When did you all get here?
66. Huh: used to show that you have not heard or understood something.
- So what do you want to do tonight? Huh? What did you say?
67. Ick: used to express a feeling of shock or dislike that makes you feel sick.
- Then he kissed her! Ick!
68. Indeed: used to express surprise, anger, or lack of belief or interest:
- She said she won't come back until Monday. Won't she, indeed?
69. Jeez: an expression of surprise or emotion:
- Jeez, don't yell at me - I'm just telling you what she said!
See: TAKE: 32 Common Expressions With Examples and Meanings
70. Kaboom: used to represent the sound of a loud explosion.
- Plant the grenade and retire very rapidly to a safe distance—kaboom!
71. Kapow: representing the sound of an explosion, a gunshot, a hard punch or blow, etc. Also in extended use, conveying the suddenness or powerful effect of an event or experience.
- And Batman hit the evildoer, kapow!
72. Lordy (lordy, lordy): used to express surprise or dismay.
- Lordy! Whatever happened?
73. Mama mia: used to express strong feeling (such as pleasure or surprise)
- Mamma mia! My deepest wish has come true. I have a son!
74. Man: used when talking to someone, especially a man.
- Hey, man, how are you doing?
75. Marvelous: extremely good.
- Marvelous! Oh, honey, that's just wonderful.
76. My goodness (my heavens, my stars, my word): used to express any strong emotion, especially surprise.
- My goodness! how many more times do I have to tell you!
77. My: used to express surprise or pleasure.
- My, what delicious food!
- Nah, it doesn't work that way.
79. No problem: used as a friendly answer when someone thanks you for something you have done.
- A: Thanks for the lift. B: No problem.
See: 100+ Useful Expressions to Use at a Restaurant in English
80. No way (no way José): used to express surprise.
- When someone tells him something interesting, he says, "No way!" as if he is a teen.
81. Nope: no.
- A: Are you going out tonight? B: Nope.
82. Nuts: an expression of contempt or derision.
- Keep up the good work, and nuts to everyone who doesn't like it.
83. Oh (oh boy, oh dear, oh my, oh my gosh, oh my goodness, oh no, oh well): used to express different emotions, such as surprise, disappointment, and pleasure, often as a reaction to something someone has said.
- A: He's been married three times. B: Oh, really? I didn't know that!
84. OK (okay): used to show that you agree with something or agree to do something.
- A: I'll pay you back tomorrow. B: OK, no problem.
85. Ouch: used to express pain.
- Ouch! I've trodden on a thistle.
86. Ow: used to express sudden pain.
- Ow, stop it, you're hurting me!
87. Please: used to add force to a request or demand.
- Please, David, put the knife down.
88. Poof: used to convey the suddenness with which someone or something disappears or express contemptuous dismissal.
- once you've used it, poof—it's gone
- Oh, poof!” said Will. You say that every year.
89. Shh: used to call for silence.
- Shh! Keep your voice down!
90. Super: excellent.
91. Swell: a rich, fashionable person:
- Swell! How great!
92. Welcome: said as a greeting to someone arriving at a place:
- Welcome - please come in.
93. Well: used to introduce something you are going to say, often to show surprise, doubt, slight disagreement, or anger, or to continue a story.
- Well, what shall we do now?
94. Whoop-de-doo: said when you do not think what someone has said or done is important or special:
- Well, whoop-de-doo, they're offering us a 0.5 percent pay raise!
95. Woo-hoo: (used to express excitement, delight, etc.):
- Woo-hoo! It's Friday!
96. Wow: used to show surprise and sometimes pleasure:
- Wow! Did you make that cake? It looks delicious!
97. Yabba dabba doo: An expression of happiness or excitement.
- Yabba dabba doo! I'm off work!
98. Yadda, yadda, yadda: Used to indicate that further details are predictable or contextually evident from what has preceded.
- Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, yadda yadda yadda.
99. Yippee: expressing wild excitement or delight.
- Peter suggested they should go home. ‘Yippee!’ shouted Katie.
100. Yummy: referring to something (or someone) deeeelicious and tasty
- Yummy! I love chocolate cake!
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