Definition of "ah" in English

interjection

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

   • Ah, I understand now.
   • Ah! It's good to be back home!
   • Ah, the flowers of spring.

2. A syllable used to fill space, particularly in music.

noun

1. An instance of the interjection ah.

   • the crowd's oohs and ahs at the fireworks

verb

1. To give a cry of "ah".

pronoun

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

particle

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

   • Pitch contour: low-mid /ɑ(ː)˨/, [ä˨]
   • You’re dyslexic ah?

2. (interrogative) Reinforces a short, non-rhetorical wh-question.

   • Pitch contour: rising /ɑ(ː)˨˦/
   • How do you delete this row ah?

3. Emphasizes the need for absolute confirmation, permission or acknowledgment.

   • Pitch contour: rising /ɑ(ː)˨˦/
   • Don’t drink and drive ah...

4. A particle indicating the topic of a sentence from its comment.

   • Pitch contour: rising /ɑ(ː)˨˦/
   • The drilling upstairs ah, non-stop leh.

5. A confirmative final particle used in the middle of a sentence to ascertain the continued attention of the listener.

   • Pitch contour: rising /ɑ(ː)˨˦/
   • Near-synonym: right

6. Tagged at the end of non-interrogative sentence to convey a sense of informality or resignation.

   • Pitch contour: mid-falling /ɑ(ː)˧˨/
   • I got tell them ah, guys.
   • Fail already ah.

7. A vocative particle, now mostly used by Chinese elders for direct address (over telephone calls, or if the addressee is far away).

   • Pitch contour: low-mid /ɑ(ː)˨/
   • Hello? Joey ah?

8. Used as an intensifier in fixed expressions, sometimes exhortative in meaning.

   • Pitch contour: mid-falling /ɑ(ː)˧˨/, low-mid /ɑ(ː)˨/