First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1woe
interjection \ˈwō\
Definition of WOE
—used to express grief, regret, or distress
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Origin of WOE
Middle English wa, wo, from Old English wā; akin to Old Norse vei, interjection, woe, Latin vae
Rhymes with WOE
beau, blow, bow, bro, Chou, crow, do, doe, dough, floe, flow, foe, fro, froe, glow, go, grow, ho, hoe, jo, Jo, joe, know, lo, low, mho, mot, mow, no, No, O, oh, owe, Poe, pow, pro, rho, roe, row, Rowe, schmo, sew, show, sloe, slow, snow, so, sow, stow, Stowe, strow, though, throe, throw, toe, tow, trow, whoa, yo
2woe
noun
: a feeling of great pain or sadness
woes : problems or troubles
Full Definition of WOE
1
: a condition of deep suffering from misfortune, affliction, or grief
2
: ruinous trouble : calamity, affliction <economic woes>
See woe defined for English-language learners
See woe defined for kids
First Known Use of WOE
before 12th century
Related to WOE
- Synonyms
- affliction, agony, anguish, excruciation, hurt, misery, pain, rack, strait(s), torment, torture, travail, tribulation, distress
- Antonyms
- blessedness, bliss, blissfulness, cheer, cheerfulness, cheeriness, delight, ecstasy, elatedness, elation, euphoria, exhilaration, exuberance, exultation, felicity, gladness, gladsomeness, glee, gleefulness, happiness, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, jubilation, pleasure, rapture, rapturousness
Synonym Discussion of WOE
sorrow, grief, anguish, woe, regret mean distress of mind. sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse <a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death>. grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause <the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents>. anguish suggests torturing grief or dread <the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child>. woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery <cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city>. regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse <nagging regret for missed opportunities>.
WOE Defined for Kids
woe
noun \ˈwō\
Definition of WOE for Kids
1
: great sorrow, grief, or misfortune : trouble
2
: something that causes a problem
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