argh meaning: definition, etymology

argh

intj

/ɑː(ɹ)(ɡ)/ · [ɑɹɣ]

Etymology In imitation of a cry. Used since at least the 18th century. Compare ah, of which it could be a lengthened form.

Onomatopoeic Expressing annoyance, dismay, embarrassment or frustration.

Argh! It's already 7:15! We're never gonna make it!

Related terms: blech

argh

adj

Etymology From Middle English argh, from Old English earg (“inert; weak; timid; cowardly”), from Proto-West Germanic *arg, from Proto-Germanic *argaz. Cognate with Scots ergh, argh, arch, erf (“timid; reluctant; unwilling”). Doublet of eerie.

Northern England, Scotland, Dialectal Timid; cowardly.

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.