Yikes
Yikes definition by Slang.net
This page explains what the slang term "Yikes" means. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been written and compiled by the Slang.net team.
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Yikes means "Wow" or "Whoa." It is a popular expression that is typically utilized to express surprise or amazement.
The expression dates back to the 1940s and has grown from a fringe slang term to a common interjection. "Yikes" may be used in relation to good surprises but is most often uttered in reaction to something bad, unsettling, or disgusting, like when a kid throws a huge tantrum, an adult poops his pants, or a car runs off the road and into a mailbox.
Due to its popularity, the term may appear in a variety of contexts, such as in a text message, on social sites like Facebook or Twitter, or spoken aloud. It may be used by people of all ages, ranging from kids to adults.
A more exaggerated version of yikes is "Big yikes." This term became popular in 2018 as an alternative to yikes when things get really cray.