- An interjection expressing discomfort, pain, empathy for someone else's misfortune, or the impact of something negative or awkward.
- Can also express surprise or acknowledgement of something impressive or difficult.
Explanation
Origin
- Onomatopoeic, representing the sound someone makes when punched in the stomach or winded.
- Its use has broadened to express emotional or sympathetic reactions. Popularized further by internet culture and gaming (e.g., the Roblox oof sound).
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Rough buddy (Referencing Avatar: The Last Airbender meme, online)
- Big yikes
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Fuck / Shit (Expressing dismay)
- That's fucked up
Milder:
- Oh dear.
- Oh no.
- That's unfortunate.
- My goodness.
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal.
- Very common in casual conversation and online. Avoid in formal settings.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Less likely to be misunderstood, as it's almost always reactive and negative/empathetic. The main variation is whether it expresses personal pain or empathy for others.
Examples
- (Seeing someone fall): Oof, that looked painful.
- (Hearing bad news): He lost his job? Oof, that's rough.
- (Reacting to an awkward comment): Oof, awkward...
- (Seeing a high price): Oof, that's expensive.
Dialogue
Layla: My rent is going up by $200 next month.
Mike: Oof. That's a huge jump.
Layla: Yeah, I don't know what I'm going to do.
Social Media Examples
- Replying to a tweet about a cancelled flight: Oof, sorry to hear that! Travel chaos is the worst.
- Commenting on a picture of a terrible sunburn: Oof! Hope you have some aloe vera!
- Post: Just looked at my credit card bill after the holidays... oof. #spending #regret
Response Patterns
- Often met with agreement: Yeah, I know. / Tell me about it.
- Acknowledgment: Right?
- Sometimes just a nod or shared grimace.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Often followed by a commiserating statement: Oof, that's tough. Is he okay?
- Might lead to asking for more details about the negative situation: Oof. What happened?
Conversation Starter
- No. Always a reaction to something said or observed.
Intonation
- Typically short, often with a downward inflection. Can be drawn out (Oooof) for emphasis.
- Said with a wince or sigh, reflecting the discomfort or empathy.
Generation Differences
- Used across generations but extremely common among younger people, heavily influenced by internet/gaming culture.
Regional Variations
- Widely used in North America and increasingly globally due to online culture.