ugh

interjection

often read as
ˈəg How to pronounce ugh (audio)
or
ˈəḵ How to pronounce ugh (audio)
or
ˈə How to pronounce ugh (audio)
used to indicate the sound of a cough or grunt or to express disgust or horror

Examples of ugh in a Sentence

ugh, this oven desperately needs to be cleaned
Recent Examples on the Web Self-reliance was encouraged, but not introspection (navel-gazing, ugh). Sigrid Nunez, Harper's Magazine, 16 Oct. 2023 And if the forecast predicts yet another hot spell (ugh), be sure to have a plan in place before leaving the house. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 3 Aug. 2023 No one can stare down snakes (ugh!), punch Nazis (yay!), unearth legendary antiquities (score!) and outrun ginormous boulders (yikes!) like Indiana Jones. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 30 June 2023 The manner in which her umbrella skirt connects with the batwing-like cape is, ugh, fantastic. Lauren Puckett-Pope, ELLE, 22 June 2023 Available standard seating starts at $99.50, plus fees (ugh!). Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 8 May 2023 When this came, my immediate sense was, ugh, this is bad timing. New York Times, 2 May 2022 And once the wedding plans were underway, ugh, so painful and now public to stop the runaway train. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 10 July 2020 Corn is technically a grain (ugh, so inconvenient), so that's also out. Audrey Bruno, SELF, 29 June 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ugh.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ugh was in 1678

Dictionary Entries Near ugh

Cite this Entry

“Ugh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ugh. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ugh

interjection
often read as
ˈəg How to pronounce ugh (audio)
or
ˈəḵ How to pronounce ugh (audio)
 or  ˈə
used for various sounds that express disgust or horror
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