eww

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'eww' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is an interjection used to express disgust, dislike, or disapproval. Example: "Eww, I can't believe you're putting ketchup on your ice cream." This sentence shows the use of 'eww' to express disgust at someone's food choice.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Well, vodka's OK, but vodka and Coke is pretty nasty," she says with an expression that says "eww".

Independent

There are memorable "eww" scenes, too, including a brutal sequence of amateur dentistry and another in which a corpse was folded, with alarming realism, into a suitcase.

The New Yorker

It'd be funny — maybe less funny ha-ha than funny eww — if the Cannibal were secretly living up to its name and serving human flesh.

The New Yorker

He had a great chest, preferred Coke to Pepsi, didn't eat sushi ("no eww"), owned "a trillian" CDs, and liked pizza with "green peppers, pepperoni, sausage OH YEAH".

The New Yorker

He made a sound somewhere between "ooh" and "eww".

The New York Times - Arts

A post on the Time blog NewsFeed summed it up with, "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something eww".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

In fact, the strange hybrid name derives its eww-inducing prefix from "ulterior motive"& 8212never mind that ulterior motives usually include an intent to deceive and manipulate.

The New Yorker

The 1990s were dominated by the braying of Jim Carrey, the "Austin Powers" franchise and the eww-gross extremism of "There's Something About Mary" — all films stuffed to the point of asphyxiation with blatant gags.

The New York Times - Magazine

The students erupted into choruses of "ewws" whenever the older actors got physical with each other, but they also said "aww" a lot at less touchy-feely sentimental moments.

The New York Times

At that point it's, like, 'Eww!' She's not gonna eat the brown banana or the shrivelledy-up things.

The New Yorker

"People smile, but they are also like, 'Eww!' " The same sentiment, her software found, had animated a humorous gross-out ad that Doritos aired during the Super Bowl.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. "Eww" is informal and may not be appropriate in formal writing or professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "eww" in academic papers or business reports. It's too informal and undermines the seriousness of the content.

Linguistic Context

The interjection "eww" functions as an expressive word, primarily used to convey a feeling of disgust, revulsion, or strong dislike. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a common way to react negatively to something unpleasant. It often stands alone as a spontaneous expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The interjection "eww" is a common and effective way to express feelings of disgust, dislike, or aversion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in informal contexts. While "eww" is prevalent in News & Media, it is important to avoid using it in formal writing. Alternatives like "yuck", "gross", and "ick" can serve as suitable substitutes. The examples show the usage of "eww" in various contexts, highlighting its role in conveying negative emotions spontaneously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yuck

A simple and direct expression of disgust.

gross

Indicates something unpleasant or disgusting.

ick

Expresses distaste or revulsion, often used for something slightly unpleasant.

disgusting

A more formal way to describe something that causes strong feelings of revulsion.

revolting

Similar to "disgusting" but often implies a stronger emotional response.

nasty

Indicates something unpleasant or objectionable.

horrendous

Describes something extremely unpleasant or shocking.

vile

Suggests something morally reprehensible and physically repulsive.

repulsive

Causes intense distaste or disgust.

offensive

Causes someone to feel resentful, upset, or annoyed.

FAQs

How to use "eww" in a sentence?

You can use "eww" to express disgust or dislike, like in the sentence, "Eww, that smells awful!"

What can I say instead of "eww"?

You can use alternatives like "yuck", "gross", or "ick" depending on the context.

Is "eww" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "eww" is an informal interjection and is not suitable for formal or professional writing. Consider using more appropriate vocabulary instead.

What's the difference between "eww" and "ugh"?

"Eww" and "ugh" both express distaste, but "eww" often implies a stronger sense of disgust, while "ugh" can also express tiredness or annoyance.