English
Etymology 1
In imitation of a cry. Used since at least the 18th century.[1]
Pronunciation
Interjection
argh
- (onomatopoeia) Expressing annoyance, dismay, embarrassment or frustration.
- Argh! Itʼs already 7:15! Weʼre never gonna make it!
Usage notes
Any of the letters may be reduplicated, (apart from the "g" in most books) e.g. Arrggh!, Aaaarrrggghhh!, Aarrghh!
Translations
expression of annoyance
See also
Etymology 2
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.
Adjective
argh (comparative more argh, superlative most argh)
References
- ^ Christine A. Lindberg, editor (2002), “argh”, in The Oxford College Dictionary, 2nd edition, New York, N.Y.: Spark Publishing, →ISBN, page 1.
French
Pronunciation
Interjection
argh
- (onomatopoeia) argh (expression of annoyance)
Middle English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Inherited from Old English earg, from Proto-West Germanic *arg, from Proto-Germanic *argaz. eri is a dialectal variant of the same word.
Pronunciation
Adjective
argh
- afraid, scared, courageless
- scared, fearful, worried
- base, wretched, lowly; worthy of contempt or ostracism.
- slothful, unwilling, tired; lacking in energy or motivation.
- Lacking in power or strength.
Related terms
Descendants
References
- “argh, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-05-23.
Adverb
argh
- amazedly; with a feeling of wonder.
References
- “argh, adv.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-05-23.
Portuguese
Interjection
argh
- (onomatopoeia) argh (expression of annoyance)
