"Oopsie" is an informal way of expressing recognition of a small mistake or an accident and can be part of an apology. It is usually expressed in a lighthearted or playful manner and used to acknowledge minor blunders or mishaps in a light way.
For example, if you spill a bit of coffee on your shirt, it is a small mishap but not a serious error that will negatively impact your whole life. In this situation, you could say "oopsie" and move on with life.
"Oopsie" can also be used as a noun that means the small mistake itself. Going off of the previous example, the act of you spilling a bit of coffee on your shirt would be an "oopsie."
Variants of "oopsie" include "oops," "whoops," "whoopsie," "oopsie-daisy," and "whoopsie-daisy." All variants have a similar meaning to "oopsie." However, the latter two are at times seen as incorrect variants of "upsy-daisy," which is an expression an adult would use for a toddler who has fallen down. Today, all variants are accepted as standard ways of acknowledging a small mistake.
Example sentences
- Oopsie, I dropped my pen on the floor.
- Oopsie, I accidentally deleted that file from my computer.
- Oopsie, I forgot to turn off the lights before leaving.
- Oopsie, I spilled some juice on the tablecloth.
- Oopsie, I missed my exit on the highway.
- I made an oopsie and sent the email to the wrong recipient.
- Oopsie, I mixed up the dates in my calendar.
- She had a little oopsie when she spilled some paint on the floor.
- We all have our oopsies from time to time; it's part of being human.
- Oopsie, I tore a page while flipping through the book.
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Reference:
Editors of Merriam-Webster
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