Oom

Pronunciation

• S Africa IPA: /ÊŠÉ™m/
• UK IPA: /ÊŠm/

Origin

From South African Dutch oom.

Full definition of oom

Noun

1. (South Africa) An older man, especially an uncle. (Frequently as a respectful form of address.) from 19th c.
• 1979, André Brink, A Dry White Season, Vintage 1998, p. 73:He raised his glass. ‘Here's to you, Oom Ben,’ he said. ‘Give them hell.’----