Learn definitions, uses, and phrases with vey.

Oy and vey are two very old Jewish interjections which both mean “woe.” Oy is found many times in the Bible (see Numbers 21:29, I Samuel 4:7 and Isaiah 3:11 for a few examples). Vey is …

Nov 20, 2025 · If you’ve ever heard someone say “oy vey” and wondered what it meant, you’re not alone. This Yiddish phrase has become a common expression in English, particularly in …

Sep 2, 2024 · Nothing seems to encapsulate Jewish tzores, pain, like the phrase “oy vey.” This phrase is one of the best-known Yiddish phrases, a language so common among pre-World …

Definitions interj. Woe is me. Example Sentences "Oy vey iz mir, my car won't start."

interjection Yiddish. (used to express distress, exasperation, upset, alarm, etc., sometimes minor). Just had another session with my mom, planning my wedding—oy vey, she’s taking over!

Oy Vey definition: Used to express irritation, dismay, sorrow, or self-pity.

What does “oy vey” mean? Where did it come from? The full-blown expression oy vey or even the single syllable word “oy” is used all the time by Jews and others who want to express themselves.

Definition of oy vey exclamation in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Definitions interj. Exclamation of dismay, exasperation, or surprise. Example Sentences "Oy vey, Jessica is such a pretty and smart girl. Why can't she find a husband already?"