blimey

USAGE SUMMARY

'blimey' is a legitimate word and can be used in written English.
'Blimey' is an informal exclamation of surprise and can be used in a variety of situations. Example sentence: Blimey, I can't believe the exam was so hard!.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Slow Life Coral blimey Source: Viral Video Chart.

The Guardian

Apparently it's the most Shazammed track of all time – blimey.

The Guardian

When North Korea now says it does not mean to give up its bid to be a nuclear-weapons power, blimey, perhaps it means it.

The Economist

When the gory pictures were substituted by erotic ones, the outcome was the same.In this section Back to the future Prostitution v constitution Cor blimey Dermatology for 'droids ReprintsDr Most thinks that the explanation for this temporary blindness is that there is an information-processing bottleneck in the brain when it is presented with important stimuli.

The Economist

I remember leaning over to the reporter next to me and saying, blimey, he is describing apartheid, not multiculturalism.

The Economist

LISTENING to this morning's Today programme on BBC Radio 4, Bagehot's first, unworthy thought was: blimey, it's Statler and Waldorf from the Muppet Show.

The Economist

And blimey, were they all narked about something.

Independent

At any moment a wrong move or a fumbled piece of handling – and, blimey, there had been enough of those from both teams beforehand – would have given the Lions their much-coveted series victory.

Independent

Yesterday the gut feeling turned out to be spot on but, blimey, what an entertaining – and, more importantly for the future prospects of a still young team – intelligent struggle England made of it.

Independent

Who's winning, who's losing, blimey that was brilliant, and come on my lot, we're by far the greatest political party the world has ever seen.

Independent

And, blimey, if Quins were sucking their teeth at letting him in, Leicester rubbed their noses in it too.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when using "blimey", as it is primarily a British expression and may not be understood by all readers.

Common error

Avoid using "blimey" in formal or serious contexts. It is an informal exclamation and is not appropriate for professional or academic writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "blimey" is as an exclamation. It expresses surprise, astonishment, or shock. Ludwig AI confirms this, indicating its use as a standalone expression to convey immediate reaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Blimey" is an informal British exclamation used to express surprise or astonishment. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct, however, it is best suited for informal contexts and should be avoided in formal writing. While very common, it is essential to consider your audience, as its use may not be universally understood. Alternatives such as "crikey" or "wow" may be more appropriate depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Cor blimey

A cockney rhyming slang variation of "blimey", intensifying the exclamation.

Crikey

Another British exclamation of surprise, similar in tone and usage.

Wow

A simple and widely understood exclamation of surprise or admiration.

Good heavens

A more formal and slightly old-fashioned exclamation of surprise.

Oh my God

A common exclamation of surprise, shock, or disbelief, often abbreviated as OMG.

Well I never

A British expression indicating surprise or disbelief.

Goodness gracious

An exclamation expressing surprise or shock, often used in a mild or polite way.

Dear me

A mild and somewhat formal expression of surprise or concern.

I say

An old-fashioned British exclamation of surprise or emphasis.

By Jove

An archaic exclamation expressing surprise or emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "blimey" in a sentence?

"Blimey" is typically used as an exclamation of surprise or astonishment. For example, "Blimey, that was a close call!"

What's a similar phrase to "blimey"?

Similar phrases include "crikey", "wow", or "good heavens", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "blimey" considered formal or informal?

"Blimey" is considered an informal exclamation, primarily used in British English. It is not suitable for formal writing or speech.

What does "cor blimey" mean?

Cor blimey is a variation of "blimey", often used in Cockney English. It also expresses surprise, but with a slightly stronger emphasis.