yikes

USAGE SUMMARY

"yikes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express surprise, shock, fear, or dread. Example sentence: "Oh boy, I just realized we only have one week to finish the project. Yikes!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She added: "Yikes, I am being reported to Channel 4 and the BBC.

The Guardian

Yikes!Just one more thing, and then I'm off to Yale:It's harder than it looks, don't you agree Exit the ghost.

The Economist

But he delivers his jabs too fast, turning them all into glancing blows.9 31: Yikes.

The Economist

A statement (also in Polish) from the MFA in Warsaw gives more of the details.Update II: YIKES!

The Economist

Yikes, one felt, shoving one's hands deeper into one's pockets.

Independent

A couple of times a month I stop and just think "yikes! this is utter magic".

Independent

There's a wonderful moment in "Novacane" when Frank, reminiscing about a toxic (and intoxicated) relationship, sings "Cocaine for breakfast... ...... and the entire audience, knowing their role, shout "Yikes!" Most exciting, however, is the unveiling of new material, raising the enticing prospect that Frank Ocean's qualities – musical and "star" – can only rise from here.

Independent

When one blogger recently compiled her list of the thirty hottest mug shots of men, which she'd drawn from the mug-shot blog hotandbusted, she felt compelled to add "yikes" next to No. 14's charge, domestic violence.

The New Yorker

Only it wasn't a parade; it was the sound the biggest hailstones yet made smashing down on (yikes!) the Ubernicks' Fiesta, the Neillys' trash can, which — oof! — tumped over (as if knocked unconscious) and rolled directly out onto Pine.

The New Yorker

A force-play out put Matsui there in his place, and then, oopsie, over to second on a further Varitek embarrassment, and — yikes!

The New Yorker

Yikes — but it does make the whole process a bit more difficult.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While "yikes" is generally acceptable in informal settings, more formal situations might require a more professional expression of surprise or concern.

Common error

Avoid using "yikes" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more professional expressions of surprise or concern, such as "This is concerning" or "This raises significant questions."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "yikes" is as an interjection. It's used to express a sudden emotion, often surprise, shock, or dismay. Ludwig AI confirms this interjectory use, showcased in numerous examples where it stands alone or begins a sentence expressing a reaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Yikes" is a versatile interjection used to express a range of negative emotions, primarily surprise, shock, or dismay. Ludwig AI's analysis and numerous examples confirm its prevalent use in informal contexts, particularly in News & Media. While grammatically correct, it is best reserved for casual communication and should be avoided in formal or academic writing. Alternatives like "oh dear" or "good heavens" may be more suitable depending on the situation. With a high source quality score and expert rating, "yikes" effectively conveys immediate emotional reactions in appropriate settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uh oh

Indicates a realization that something is wrong or that a problem has arisen; similar in tone to "yikes".

oh dear

A mild expression of dismay or concern; less forceful than "yikes".

oh my god

A common exclamation expressing surprise, shock, or disbelief; more intense than "yikes".

good heavens

An exclamation of surprise or shock, often used in a more formal setting.

eek

A sharp exclamation of fright or alarm, typically used for minor scares.

goodness gracious

An exclamation of surprise or mild shock, often used by older individuals.

wow

A simple expression of surprise or amazement, which can be positive or negative.

holy cow

An exclamation of surprise or disbelief, often used in a humorous or lighthearted way.

whoa

An exclamation of surprise or amazement, often used to express caution.

that's alarming

Expresses concern or worry about something, more descriptive than "yikes".

FAQs

How do you use "yikes" in a sentence?

"Yikes" is typically used as a standalone interjection to express surprise, shock, or dismay. For example, "I just saw the final bill—"yikes"!"

What can I say instead of "yikes" to express surprise?

You can use alternatives like "oh dear", "good heavens", or "oh my god" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "yikes" appropriate for formal communication?

No, "yikes" is generally considered informal and is not suitable for formal communication. In professional settings, use more formal expressions of concern or surprise.

What does "yikes" imply?

"Yikes" typically implies a negative reaction to something, such as surprise, shock, dismay, or a realization that something is not as expected or desired.