Asked by: Peyton Stoltenberg
Score: 4.4/5
(28 votes)
Woe is an archaic exclamation of grief, distress, or lamentation, but it is still sometimes used humorously. The related noun, which is still commonly used, means the same.
What is woe slang for?
It stands for ‘working on excellence.
How do you use the word woe?
Examples of ‘woe’ in a sentence woe
- And woe betide anyone he thought had stepped out of line. …
- Last night, his woes continued as a muscle injury once more left him as a spectator. …
- You feel for her, with her recent woes.
What does it mean to feel woe?
—used to express grief, regret, or distress. woe. noun. Definition of woe (Entry 2 of 2) 1 : a condition of deep suffering from misfortune, affliction, or grief.
Is woe a word?
grievous distress, affliction, or trouble: His woe was almost beyond description. an affliction: She suffered a fall, among her other woes. an exclamation of grief, distress, or lamentation.
21 related questions found
What kind of word is woe?
grief; sorrow; misery; heavy calamity.
What does woe mean in sentence?
Definition of Woe. grief or sorrow. Examples of Woe in a sentence. 1. My daughter experienced such woe when her boyfriend dumped her.
What are the 7 woes in the Bible?
The seven woes are: They taught about God, but did not love God – they did not enter the kingdom of heaven themselves, nor did they let others enter. … They taught the law, but did not practice some of the most important parts of the law – justice, mercy, faithfulness to God.
What does running through the six mean?
In fact, Urban Dictionary defines “running through the six with my woes” as, “Going through your neighborhood carrying your problems and sorrows; yet, still surviving.”
Can you feel woe?
Woe is a feeling of deep sorrow or grief. An example of woe is what you feel when someone you love dies.
What does it mean when you say woe betide?
old-fashioned. —used as a warning that there will be trouble if someone does something specified Woe betide anyone who enters here!
How do you use woe is me in a sentence?
said to express how unhappy you are: I’m cold and wet and I don’t have enough money for the bus home. Oh woe is me!
Why do people say woe is me?
What does woe is me mean? Woe is me is an over-dramatic, often comical way to express sadness or disappointment at an unfair situation. The phrase carries such connotations because of its archaic-sounding grammatical structure.
Why is Toronto called the 6?
Toronto is called the 6 thanks to Forest Hill ‘hood rapper Drake, who refers to his hometown as the 6 when he named his album, Views from the 6. FYI, you can actually rent out the luxury condo he used to live in. At first, people were confused.
What does six mean in slang?
The slang term “The 6” (also spelled The Six) is a noun which is used to reference Toronto, Canada. The 6 was coined and popularized by Drake.
How do you use woes in a sentence?
Short & Simple Example Sentence For Woes | Woes Sentence
- Are my woes lessening?
- That his own woes were lighter.
- I unburdened my woes to him.
- Behold other woes and calamities outraging peace!
- Thy charms and woes are nothing unto me.
- He might have been relating the woes of marionettes.
- On thy design what woes attend!
Who said Woe is me in the Bible?
King David said: Woe is me! Because I dwell in the tents of Kedar! Isaiah said: Woe is me! Because I am a man of unclean lips and mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts Jeremiah said: 1) Woe unto us!
What is the meaning of Matthew 23?
In verse 23 Jesus points out, not in judgment but for their benefit, other relevant matters of the Law of Moses that they were not keeping; “judgment, mercy, and faith.” Judgment is that of making the right decision coupled with justice.
What did Jesus call the Pharisees?
Jesus identified the Pharisees and scribes as serpents and vipers by showing their teachings brought death, not life to people. In Numbers Chapter 21, the people spoke out against God and Moses.
When was the word woe first used?
Woe dates back to before the year 900. The Old English interjection wā or wēa (pronounced very similar to how we would now say woe) became wo, wei or wa in Middle English before it settled on woe.
Can I see another’s woe?
William Blake Quotes
Can I see another’s woe, and not be in sorrow too? Can I see another’s grief, and not seek for kind relief?
Is woe a Scrabble word?
Yes, woe is in the scrabble dictionary.
How do you say woe is me?
Woe is me is the only correct version of this phrase, even though it looks odd today. The word woe contains and O and an E, the two letters that begin the words Old English. Since the phrase woe is me is a holdover from Old English, this mental link can help you remember that woe is me is correct.
Is woe still together?
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. Woe, Is Me was an American metalcore band from Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 2009, the group was signed to Rise Records and its subsidiary, Velocity Records. … The band broke up in September 2013.
Table of Contents
- What is the opposite word of woe?
- What’s the synonym of woe?
- What is the antonym of eager?
- What is the meaning of zonal competition?
- What is meant by zonal office?
- What is the difference between zonal and district?
- Is area bigger than zone?
- What is smaller than a region?
- What should I write in my district?
- Is district wide one word?
- How do you spell district wide?
- Is District Wide capitalized?
- What is a sentence for district?
- Is District and City same?
- What is Mukim Malaysia?
- What is a district in India?
- Which is the smallest district in India?
- Which state has only 4 District?
noun. grievous distress, affliction, or trouble: His woe was almost beyond description. an affliction: She suffered a fall, among her other woes.
What is the opposite word of woe?
woe. Antonyms: joy, gladness, comfort, boon, happiness, prosperity, weal, benediction, blessing. Synonyms: grief, sorrow, misery, calamity, affliction, distress, disaster, trouble, malediction, curse.
What’s the synonym of woe?
Some common synonyms of woe are anguish, grief, regret, and sorrow. While all these words mean “distress of mind,” woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.
What is the antonym of eager?
antonyms of eager
- satisfied.
- apathetic.
- disinterested.
- dispassionate.
- unconcerned.
- uneager.
- unenthusiastic.
What is the meaning of zonal competition?
It means it’s a competition between the zones or blocks of your district…. block level competition…and debate means you have to oppose the rival team either staying on the positive or the negative side…
What is meant by zonal office?
Zonal Office means the branch/field office of the corporation and functioning under the orders of the Managing Director with a specified jurisdiction of the industrial parks.
What is the difference between zonal and district?
When used as verbs, district means to divide into administrative or other districts, whereas zone means to divide into or assign sections or areas.
Is area bigger than zone?
What’s the difference between area, zone, region and district? They are all different area units in a state or country. They are not at all uniform around the world. In one state or country, zone may be larger in area than the district or vice versa.
What is smaller than a region?
A district ( smaller scale than a region) is an area inside a country or a city ,that is distinct, because of a particular characteristic or a certain activity . A shopping district Business district residential district An area could be that part of a city, country or the world , which has physical boundaries .
What should I write in my district?
How do you abbreviate district? There is one common way to abbreviate district. It is, dist.
Is district wide one word?
Across an entire district. The districtwide spelling bee had contestants from every middle school in the district.
How do you spell district wide?
Is District Wide capitalized?
District: Always capitalize District when referring to the District of Columbia. In titles and headlines, capitalize Wide, e.g. District-Wide Services.
What is a sentence for district?
Examples of district in a Sentence Noun Six police officers are in charge of the district. She represents the eighth congressional district.
Is District and City same?
The main difference between City and District is that the City is a large and permanent human settlement and District is a type of administrative division, in some countries. A city is a large human settlement. A district is a type of administrative division that, in some countries, is managed by local government.
What is Mukim Malaysia?
A mukim (commune, sub-district or parish) is a subdivision of a district. In East Malaysia, a district is a subdivision of a division (bahagian) of a state. For example, Tuaran is a district within the West Coast Division of Sabah.
What is a district in India?
A district (zilā) is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. As of 2021 there are a total of 742 districts, up from the 640 in the 2011 Census of India and the 593 recorded in the 2001 Census of India.
Which is the smallest district in India?
Mahe
Which state has only 4 District?
Sikkim
горе, скорбь, несчастье, проблемы, головная боль
существительное ↓
- горе; скорбь, печаль
woe is me! — уст. или шутл. Горе мне! 
a tale of woe — скорбная повесть
- pl. беды, неприятности, передряги
poverty, illness and other woes — бедность, болезнь и прочие беды
economic woes — экономические трудности
междометие
- увы!, горе мне!
Мои примеры
Словосочетания
a tale of misery and woe — повесть, полная горя и страданий
unsounded gulfs of human woe — безмерные глубины человеческого горя
vale of woe — юдоль печали
wrapped in woe — охваченный горем
woe betide smb. — шутл. горе тому, кто …
woe be to smb. — шутл. горе тому, кто …
woe to smb. — шутл. горе тому, кто …
woe worth the day! — да будет проклят этот день!
woe betide him! — будь он проклят!
woe betide you — горе тому
woe be to him — будь он проклят
Примеры с переводом
Her face was full of woe.
Её лицо было полно печали.
Yesterday, to add to her woes, she fell over and cut her arm.
Вчера с ней приключилась новая беда: она упала и поранила руку.
His woes continued to snowball through the week.
В течение всей недели его проблемы продолжали расти как снежный ком.
The city’s traffic woes are well-known.
Проблемы города с движением на дорогах хорошо известны.
Ah, woe, with the death of the last of my siblings I am alone in this world!
О горе! со смертью последнего из моих братьев и сестёр, я остался в этом мире совсем один!
Возможные однокоренные слова
woeful — горестный, страшный, скорбный, жалкий, несчастный, очень плохой
Формы слова
noun
ед. ч.(singular): woe
мн. ч.(plural): woes
Last Update: Jan 03, 2023
This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested!
Asked by: Peyton Stoltenberg
Score: 4.4/5
(28 votes)
Woe is an archaic exclamation of grief, distress, or lamentation, but it is still sometimes used humorously. The related noun, which is still commonly used, means the same.
What is woe slang for?
It stands for ‘working on excellence.
How do you use the word woe?
Examples of ‘woe’ in a sentence woe
- And woe betide anyone he thought had stepped out of line. …
- Last night, his woes continued as a muscle injury once more left him as a spectator. …
- You feel for her, with her recent woes.
What does it mean to feel woe?
—used to express grief, regret, or distress. woe. noun. Definition of woe (Entry 2 of 2) 1 : a condition of deep suffering from misfortune, affliction, or grief.
Is woe a word?
grievous distress, affliction, or trouble: His woe was almost beyond description. an affliction: She suffered a fall, among her other woes. an exclamation of grief, distress, or lamentation.
21 related questions found
What kind of word is woe?
grief; sorrow; misery; heavy calamity.
What does woe mean in sentence?
Definition of Woe. grief or sorrow. Examples of Woe in a sentence. 1. My daughter experienced such woe when her boyfriend dumped her.
What are the 7 woes in the Bible?
The seven woes are: They taught about God, but did not love God – they did not enter the kingdom of heaven themselves, nor did they let others enter. … They taught the law, but did not practice some of the most important parts of the law – justice, mercy, faithfulness to God.
What does running through the six mean?
In fact, Urban Dictionary defines “running through the six with my woes” as, “Going through your neighborhood carrying your problems and sorrows; yet, still surviving.”
Can you feel woe?
Woe is a feeling of deep sorrow or grief. An example of woe is what you feel when someone you love dies.
What does it mean when you say woe betide?
old-fashioned. —used as a warning that there will be trouble if someone does something specified Woe betide anyone who enters here!
How do you use woe is me in a sentence?
said to express how unhappy you are: I’m cold and wet and I don’t have enough money for the bus home. Oh woe is me!
Why do people say woe is me?
What does woe is me mean? Woe is me is an over-dramatic, often comical way to express sadness or disappointment at an unfair situation. The phrase carries such connotations because of its archaic-sounding grammatical structure.
Why is Toronto called the 6?
Toronto is called the 6 thanks to Forest Hill ‘hood rapper Drake, who refers to his hometown as the 6 when he named his album, Views from the 6. FYI, you can actually rent out the luxury condo he used to live in. At first, people were confused.
What does six mean in slang?
The slang term “The 6” (also spelled The Six) is a noun which is used to reference Toronto, Canada. The 6 was coined and popularized by Drake.
How do you use woes in a sentence?
Short & Simple Example Sentence For Woes | Woes Sentence
- Are my woes lessening?
- That his own woes were lighter.
- I unburdened my woes to him.
- Behold other woes and calamities outraging peace!
- Thy charms and woes are nothing unto me.
- He might have been relating the woes of marionettes.
- On thy design what woes attend!
Who said Woe is me in the Bible?
King David said: Woe is me! Because I dwell in the tents of Kedar! Isaiah said: Woe is me! Because I am a man of unclean lips and mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts Jeremiah said: 1) Woe unto us!
What is the meaning of Matthew 23?
In verse 23 Jesus points out, not in judgment but for their benefit, other relevant matters of the Law of Moses that they were not keeping; “judgment, mercy, and faith.” Judgment is that of making the right decision coupled with justice.
What did Jesus call the Pharisees?
Jesus identified the Pharisees and scribes as serpents and vipers by showing their teachings brought death, not life to people. In Numbers Chapter 21, the people spoke out against God and Moses.
When was the word woe first used?
Woe dates back to before the year 900. The Old English interjection wā or wēa (pronounced very similar to how we would now say woe) became wo, wei or wa in Middle English before it settled on woe.
Can I see another’s woe?
William Blake Quotes
Can I see another’s woe, and not be in sorrow too? Can I see another’s grief, and not seek for kind relief?
Is woe a Scrabble word?
Yes, woe is in the scrabble dictionary.
How do you say woe is me?
Woe is me is the only correct version of this phrase, even though it looks odd today. The word woe contains and O and an E, the two letters that begin the words Old English. Since the phrase woe is me is a holdover from Old English, this mental link can help you remember that woe is me is correct.
Is woe still together?
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. Woe, Is Me was an American metalcore band from Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 2009, the group was signed to Rise Records and its subsidiary, Velocity Records. … The band broke up in September 2013.
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English wo, wei, wa, from Old English wā, wǣ, from Proto-West Germanic *wai, from Proto-Germanic *wai (interjection), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wáy (interjection).
See also Dutch wee, German Weh, weh, Danish ve, Yiddish וויי (vey); also Latin vae, Albanian vaj, French ouais, Ancient Greek οὐαί (ouaí), Persian وای (vây) (Turkish vay, a Persian borrowing), and Armenian վայ (vay).
Pronunciation[edit]
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /wəʊ/
- (General American) enPR: wō, IPA(key): /woʊ/
- Rhymes: -əʊ
- Homophone: whoa (in accents with the wine-whine merger)
Noun[edit]
woe (countable and uncountable, plural woes)
- Great sadness or distress; a misfortune causing such sadness.
- Synonyms: grief, sorrow, misery
- 1674, John Milton, Paradise Lost
- Thus saying, from her side the fatal key, / Sad instrument of all our woe, she took.
- 1717, Alexander Pope, Eloisa to Abelard
- Soon as thy letters trembling I unclose / That well-known name awakens all my woes.
- October 14 2017, Sandeep Moudgal, The Times of India, Rains devastate families, political parties make beeline to apply balm on open wounds
- The Friday night rains which wrecked families in Kurabarahalli saw all the three major political parties making a beeline to express their condolences, listen to their woes and provide compensation in the hope of garnering their goodwill ahead of the 2018 assembly elections.
- Calamity, trouble.
-
1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Revelation 8:13:
-
And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
-
-
- A curse; a malediction.
-
1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), 6th edition, London: […] J[ames] Bettenham, for Jonah Bowyer, […], published 1727, →OCLC:
-
Can there be a woe or curse in all the stores of vengeance equal to the malignity of such a practice?
-
-
Derived terms[edit]
- for weal or woe
- woe betide
- woe is me
- woe to
- woebegone
- woeful
Translations[edit]
grief; sorrow; misery; heavy calamity
- Arabic: حَزَن (ḥazan)
- Aramaic:
- Classical Syriac: ܘܵܝܵܐ (wāya)
- Bulgarian: беда (bg) f (beda), злочестие n (zločestie), скръб (bg) f (skrǎb)
- Chinese:
- Mandarin: 悲痛 (zh) (bēitòng), 悲慟／悲恸 (zh) (bēitòng), 悲恸 (zh) (bēitòng)
- Dutch: droefheid (nl), lijden (nl), ellende (nl), ongeluk (nl)
- Egyptian: (jꜥnw)
- Finnish: suru (fi), tuska (fi)
- French: tristesse (fr) f, douleur (fr) f, misère (fr) f, malheur (fr) m
- German: Weh (de) n, Jammer (de) m, Kummer (de) m, Leid (de) n
- Greek: θλίψη (el) f (thlípsi), συμφορά (el) f (symforá)
- Hebrew: אבוי (he) (avoy), צער (he) m (tsa’ar), יגון (he) m (yagon)
- Italian: dolore (it) m, disgrazia (it) f, guaio (it) m
- Latin: dolor (la), luctus
- Low German:
- German Low German: Weh n
- Maori: aitu
- Norwegian: sorg (no) m
- Occitan: dolor (oc) f, patiment (oc) m, patiràs m
- Polish: nieszczęście (pl) n, żałość (pl) f, cierpienie (pl) n, niedola (pl) f
- Portuguese: desgraça (pt) f, infelicidade (pt) f, mágoa (pt) f
- Romanian: durere (ro) f, suferință (ro) f, mâhnire (ro) f, nenorocire (ro) f
- Russian: печа́ль (ru) f (pečálʹ), грусть (ru) f (grustʹ), го́ре (ru) (góre)
- Scottish Gaelic: dòlas m, truaighe f, sgad m
- Spanish: pena (es) f, infortunio (es) m, ay (es) m
- Swedish: sorg (sv), ve (sv)
- Turkish: dert (tr), gam (tr), keder (tr), teessür (tr), üzüntü (tr)
- Vietnamese: khốn (vi)
- Czech: trápení (cs) n, strast f, běda f, hoře (cs) n
Adjective[edit]
woe (comparative more woe, superlative most woe)
- (obsolete) Woeful; sorrowful
- 1303, Robert of Brunne, Handlyng synne
- hys clerk was wo to do þat dede
-
1387–1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Wyfe of Bathes Tale”, in The Canterbury Tales, [Westminster: William Caxton, published 1478], →OCLC; republished in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], [London]: […] [Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], 1542, →OCLC:
-
Wo was the knight and sorroufully he syketh.
- (please add an English translation of this quote)
-
-
1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto VIII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 53:
-
And looking vp, when as his shield he lakt, / And sword saw not, he wexed wondrous woe
-
-
1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], page 17:
-
Prospero: I am woe for’t, Sir.
-
- 1303, Robert of Brunne, Handlyng synne
Interjection[edit]
woe
- (archaic) An exclamation of grief.
-
1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], page 2:
-
Miranda: O woe, the day.
-
-
Translations[edit]
exclamation of grief
- Arabic: وَيْل (wayl)
- Aramaic:
- Jewish Babylonian Aramaic: וַי (way)
- Chinese:
- Mandarin: 唉 (zh) (āi)
- Esperanto: ve (eo)
- Finnish: voi (fi)
- French: hélas (fr)
- German: weh (de)
- Gothic: 𐍅𐌰𐌹 (wai)
- Greek: ουαί (el) (ouaí), φευ (el) (fef)
- Ancient: οὐαί (ouaí), φεῦ (pheû)
- Hebrew: אוֹי (he) (oy), אֲהָהּ (he) (aháh) (Biblical), וַי (he) (vay) (Talmudic)
- Japanese: ああ (ja) (ā), あたら (ja) (atara)
- Kurdish:
- Central Kurdish: وەی (wey)
- Latin: vae, heu, ēheu
- Old English: wæ
- Persian: وای (fa) (vây)
- Polish: biada (pl)
- Punjabi:
- Shahmukhi: ہائے (hā’ē)
- Gurmukhi: ਹਾਏ (hāē)
- Romanian: vai (ro)
- Spanish: ay (es)
Anagrams[edit]
- owe
Limburgish[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
- wu, wuë (Eupen)
- wooe (Krefeld)
- boe (Maastrichtian)
- wo
Adverb[edit]
woe
- where
- Woe is Sjeng? ― Where is Sjeng?
Middle Dutch[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Old Dutch *wuo, from Proto-Germanic *hwō.
Adverb[edit]
woe
- (eastern) Alternative form of hoe
Middle English[edit]
Pronoun[edit]
woe
- Alternative form of we (“we”)
Whenever I see or hear the word ‘whoa,’ I can’t help but think of the T.V. show “Blossom” from when I was a kid. Every time her brother, Joey, came on the screen, you knew he was about to say it.
But what does the expression actually mean, and why does it sound just like the word woe? There’s a big difference between the two, so I’ll explain everything you should know in this simple guide.
Woe and Whoa Definition
The words “whoa” and “woe” are two totally different words with very distinct meanings and uses. Mixing them up when you’re writing can result in utter gibberish. “Whoa” is an interjection that’s typically used as a command for an animal or a reaction to something surprising, while the word “woe” is just a noun that expresses sorrow or grief.
Whoa Is Me or Woe Is Me?
The word “whoa” is used as an expression of surprise or to signal a stop. It is often used to calm a horse and is used metaphorically to tell someone to stop or slow down.
On the other hand, “woe” is a noun that refers to a feeling of grief, sorrow, or misfortune. Woe is often associated with a state of misery or a sense of deep disappointment.
Examples of Whoa and Woe in a Sentence
I find that context always helps when trying to understand words.
- Whoa, hold on a second. Let’s not rush into this decision.
- The driver had to say ‘whoa’ to the horses as they were getting out of control.
- Whoa, did you see that?! That was amazing!
- The woe of losing a loved one.
- The small business owners were in woe as the pandemic hit their income.
- Woe is me; I wish I had made a different choice.
Also, while “whoa” is often used in informal conversations, “woe” is more often used in a formal or literary context. So, it would definitely be appropriate to use “woe” in a written work such as a novel, an essay, or a speech, whereas “whoa” would be fitting for casual conversations.
Another important distinction between these two simple words is that “whoa” is often used as a standalone interjection, whereas “woe” is typically used in a phrase or a sentence to express a specific emotion or feeling.
- Woe to those who do not learn from their mistakes.
- The woe of unemployment.
How Do You Spell Whoa?
Funnily, “whoa” is sometimes spelled “woah,” but this is considered informal by most people. I’ve never cared about either and, to be honest, never noticed the difference. They both read the same way. But when it comes to woah vs. whoa, the spelling of whoa is more accepted in the literary world.
Woes vs. Whoas: The Difference Is Easy
So, the next time you are about to write the word whoa or woe, be sure you understand the context they belong in and the proper meaning behind both. Whoa is more of an expression, whereas woe is actually a noun. Good luck!
Interjection
ah, woe, with the death of the last of my siblings I am alone in this world!
Noun
The city’s traffic woes are well-known.
a tale of misery and woe
Recent Examples on the Web
In March 2014, San Diego Opera’s former leader shocked the industry by announcing the company would shut down in a matter of months due to money woes.
—
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2023
Another offseason of internal growth won’t cure Houston’s woes, nor will a potential coaching change ahead of next season.
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 4 Apr. 2023
Now a company called Wave Neuroscience says that some more-commonplace woes, such as trouble sleeping or focusing, may also be helped by magnetic therapy.
—Marty Munson, Men’s Health, 4 Apr. 2023
The deadly crush comes at a difficult time for many in Pakistan, which has been wracked with political instability, economic woes and an energy crisis.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN, 1 Apr. 2023
Sign Up for Love Letter Your weekly dose of real stories that examine the highs, lows and woes of relationships.
—Sadiba Hasan, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2023
The drones are meant to ease human workers’ warehouse woes and injuries.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2023
Citizens of Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, and Tunisia hit the streets over economic woes and political strife Load shedding is a chronic problem in South Africa.
—Faustine Ngila, Quartz, 20 Mar. 2023
Service cuts, safety woes, and staffing issues at nearly every level.
—Samantha J. Gross, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘woe.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Обновлено на
8 окт. 2021
-
Английский (американский вариант)
Close. «woe» is an older word that means great sorrow, distress, sadness, troubles. It can mean the feeling directly or it can mean situations or things that cause that feeling. So it can indirectly be talking about problems, yes.
«Woe is me» — older phrasing to mean «I am full of woe, I feel great sadness over something in my life, I am feeling sad for myself, I have something to be deeply sad about, etc»
«I don’t want to hear your woes.» = I don’t want to hear you complain.
«People dream about a god or a hero, who will come to heal their woes.» — People wish someone would come to rescue them, save them from their troubles, fix their losses and sorrows and hurts. Someone who can fix all their problems and make them feel better, happy and safe.
«Adding to his woes, his car broke down and he wouldn’t have enough money for the repairs until next week.» — adding to his problems, adding to his reasons to complain and to feel sad/troubled/worried about his life…
«They listened as he told them about a tale of woe and hardship…» — they listened as he told them about something which had happened (his own life experience or perhaps about bad news that happened somewhere else). But either way, what he tells them about has a lot of troubles, sad things, misfortune, difficulties, losses, problems, etc that happened to someone.
Close. «woe» is an older word that means great sorrow, distress, sadness, troubles. It can mean the feeling directly or it can mean situations or things that cause that feeling. So it can indirectly be talking about problems, yes.
«Woe is me» — older phrasing to mean «I am full of woe, I feel great sadness over something in my life, I am feeling sad for myself, I have something to be deeply sad about, etc»
«I don’t want to hear your woes.» = I don’t want to hear you complain.
«People dream about a god or a hero, who will come to heal their woes.» — People wish someone would come to rescue them, save them from their troubles, fix their losses and sorrows and hurts. Someone who can fix all their problems and make them feel better, happy and safe.
«Adding to his woes, his car broke down and he wouldn’t have enough money for the repairs until next week.» — adding to his problems, adding to his reasons to complain and to feel sad/troubled/worried about his life…
«They listened as he told them about a tale of woe and hardship…» — they listened as he told them about something which had happened (his own life experience or perhaps about bad news that happened somewhere else). But either way, what he tells them about has a lot of troubles, sad things, misfortune, difficulties, losses, problems, etc that happened to someone.
-
Английский (американский вариант)
It means sorrow, grief, misery, or misfortune.
-
Английский (американский вариант)
Close. «woe» is an older word that means great sorrow, distress, sadness, troubles. It can mean the feeling directly or it can mean situations or things that cause that feeling. So it can indirectly be talking about problems, yes.
«Woe is me» — older phrasing to mean «I am full of woe, I feel great sadness over something in my life, I am feeling sad for myself, I have something to be deeply sad about, etc»
«I don’t want to hear your woes.» = I don’t want to hear you complain.
«People dream about a god or a hero, who will come to heal their woes.» — People wish someone would come to rescue them, save them from their troubles, fix their losses and sorrows and hurts. Someone who can fix all their problems and make them feel better, happy and safe.
«Adding to his woes, his car broke down and he wouldn’t have enough money for the repairs until next week.» — adding to his problems, adding to his reasons to complain and to feel sad/troubled/worried about his life…
«They listened as he told them about a tale of woe and hardship…» — they listened as he told them about something which had happened (his own life experience or perhaps about bad news that happened somewhere else). But either way, what he tells them about has a lot of troubles, sad things, misfortune, difficulties, losses, problems, etc that happened to someone.
Close. «woe» is an older word that means great sorrow, distress, sadness, troubles. It can mean the feeling directly or it can mean situations or things that cause that feeling. So it can indirectly be talking about problems, yes.
«Woe is me» — older phrasing to mean «I am full of woe, I feel great sadness over something in my life, I am feeling sad for myself, I have something to be deeply sad about, etc»
«I don’t want to hear your woes.» = I don’t want to hear you complain.
«People dream about a god or a hero, who will come to heal their woes.» — People wish someone would come to rescue them, save them from their troubles, fix their losses and sorrows and hurts. Someone who can fix all their problems and make them feel better, happy and safe.
«Adding to his woes, his car broke down and he wouldn’t have enough money for the repairs until next week.» — adding to his problems, adding to his reasons to complain and to feel sad/troubled/worried about his life…
«They listened as he told them about a tale of woe and hardship…» — they listened as he told them about something which had happened (his own life experience or perhaps about bad news that happened somewhere else). But either way, what he tells them about has a lot of troubles, sad things, misfortune, difficulties, losses, problems, etc that happened to someone.
-
Японский
Thank you very much!
I could understand.
[News] Эй, привет! Тот, кто учит язык!
Вы знаете как улучшить свои языковые навыки❓ Все, что вам нужно – это исправление вашего письма носителем языка!
С HiNative ваше письмо носители языка могут исправить бесплатно ✍️✨.
Зарегистрироваться
Other forms: woes
«O, woe is me!» This line is from Shakespeare. When Hamlet scorns Ophelia, she utters these words to express the grief and despair that will soon drive her to suicide.
Another famously dejected figure, Job, echoes this unhappy cry in the Old Testament when he contemplates his sad fate, «If I be wicked, woe unto me.» Today, woe generally means «problem» or «worry.» You may experience financial woes, if you spend too much on your credit card. And study hard for your classes or in addition to your academic woes, you may get grounded by your parents. Sometimes woe is used in a slightly ironic way. If your friends tell you to forget about your woes and go out with them, they think your problems are not too serious.
Definitions of woe
-
noun
misery resulting from affliction
-
noun
intense mournfulness
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘woe’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
Send us feedback
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Look up woe for the last time
Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the
words you need to know.
Sign up now (it’s free!)
Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.
Get started