yo
1 Americaninterjection
-
(used as an exclamation to get someone's attention, express excitement, greet someone, etc.)
-
here; present: used especially in answer to a roll call.
abbreviation
Usage
What is a basic definition of yo? Yo is an interjection that is used for getting someone’s attention, greeting someone, or expressing strong feelings. Yo is also used to mean “here” or “present,” as in response to a roll call.Yo is a very flexible interjection that is used similarly to hey. The specific meaning of yo depends on the context it is used in. Yo is most often used informally and wouldn’t be used in formal writing that isn’t quotes or dialogue.
- Real-life examples: You might greet a pal with a friendly “Yo!” Or you might try to get the attention of a distracted driver with an angry “Yo!”
- Used in a sentence: Yo, Teddy! How is it going?
- Real-life examples: It might be too casual to say yo when your teacher reads your name during roll call, but your basketball coach probably won’t mind. And when someone asks who in a group wants pizza, you can definitely raise your hand and say “Yo!” to mean that you do.
Etymology
Origin of yo
late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Parade photos of Kim Yo Jong, the dictator’s powerful younger sister, weren’t prominent.
I want people to talk about comedy like, “Yo, Ali Siddiq is out of Houston, TX!”
From Los Angeles Times
His last text to Forté reads: “Yo, text me, so I know you okay?”
From Los Angeles Times
Kim Yo Jong, the younger sister of Kim Jong Un, has emerged as one of the most powerful figures in North Korea, playing a leading role in the nation's diplomatic efforts and nuclear posturing.
From Barron's
Long seen as one of her brother's most trusted lieutenants, Kim Yo Jong has now been elevated to a key position in the nation's ruling party.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
