ah

Meanings

1. 1
   intj

   An expression of relief, relaxation, comfort, confusion, understanding, wonder, awe, etc. according to uttered inflection.

   Ah, I understand now.

2. 2
   intj

   A syllable used to fill space, particularly in music.

   Boy don't try to front, uh, I Know just, just, what you are, ah, ah.

3. 3
   noun

   An instance of the interjection ah.

   the crowd's oohs and ahs at the fireworks

4. 4
   verb

   To give a cry of "ah".

   Mother and dad oohed and ahed over Cindy. She was only two months old but already was developing her personality.

5. 5
   pron

   Pronunciation spelling of I, most often indicating that the speaker is using a Scottish or American (particularly Southern) accent or African-American Vernacular English.

   Did ah ever say anything derogatory against ma man Franco? Well, likesay. . . he's no a bad punter.

6. 6
   part

   Marks a yes–no tag question prompting the listener to clarify or confirm something.

   Pitch contour: low-mid /ɑ(ː)˨/, [ä˨]

7. 7
   part

   Reinforces a short, non-rhetorical wh-question.

   Pitch contour: rising /ɑ(ː)˨˦/

8. 8
   part

   Emphasizes the need for absolute confirmation, permission or acknowledgment.

   Pitch contour: rising /ɑ(ː)˨˦/

Etymology

From Middle English ah, aa, a (“ah”), of imitative origin, or from Old English ēa, *eah (“oh, alas”), from Proto-West Germanic *a, *ah (“ah”). Earliest recorded use is circa 1175 in the Ormulum: A, Maȝȝstre! icc wat tatt tu full wiss Arrt Godess Sune ("Ah, Master! I know for sure that thou art God's Son"). Some propose that the Middle English is borrowed from Old French a (“ah!, oh!, hey!”) (represented by modern French ah). Compare also West Frisian a, ah (“ah”), Dutch a, ah (“ah”), Middle Low German a (“ah”), Old High German a, aa, ah (“ah, oh”) (whence modern German ah), Faroese áh (“oh, ah…