egad

interjection

i-ˈgad

variants or egads

i-ˈgadz

Synonyms of egad next

—used as a mild oath

Word History

Etymology

probably euphemism for oh God

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of egad was in 1673

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

egad

Egadi Islands

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Egad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/egad. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

egad

interjection

i-ˈgad

—used as a mild oath

Popular in Grammar & Usage

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Popular in Wordplay

egad

interjection

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on egad

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

acquisitive

Popular in Grammar & Usage

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Popular in Wordplay

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 3

Popular

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes