jove

IPA/dʒəʊv/
IPA/dʒəʊv/

jove — noun

1. an old-fashioned British exclamation, almost always heard as 'by Jove', that a s

1.nounC2
Definition

an old-fashioned British exclamation, almost always heard as 'by Jove', that a speaker shouts when they are pleasantly surprised or want to add weight to what they are saying.

Example

By Jove, Christopher had not seen such a beautiful sunset over the cliffs in years.

fixed exclamation: 'By Jove' at sentence start, expressing surprise

"By Jove, that pudding was good!" Henry said, leaning back in his armchair.

informal British register; emphatic praise after a meal

Common collocations
  • by Jove
Synonyms
  • goodness

    modern, neutral British alternative for 'by Jove'

  • blimey

    informal British, also dated but a bit younger

  • wow

    common, neutral, used worldwide

Grammar Patterns

by Jove!

Usage Note

Only used in the fixed exclamation 'by Jove', almost always at the start of a sentence. Very old-fashioned now — most often heard from older British speakers or in books set before 1950. A modern equivalent would be 'wow' or 'goodness'.

Common Mistakes

I jove the new car!
By Jove, the new car is wonderful!
'jove' is never a verb; it only appears inside the set phrase 'by Jove'.
with Jove, the weather is lovely today.
By Jove, the weather is lovely today.
the only preposition that works in this set phrase is 'by'.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four expressions react to surprise or add emphasis, but they fit different speakers and times. 'By Jove' is the most old-fashioned of the group, strongly British, and now mostly heard from older speakers or in books set before the Second World War; using it today can sound jokey or theatrical, as if the speaker is imitating a stage colonel. 'Goodness' is the safe, modern, neutral British choice and works in any company. 'Blimey' is also British and informal but younger and more working-class in feel — closer to a market-stall reaction than a club armchair. 'Wow' is the broadest of the four: shared across English-speaking countries, fine in writing, and at home in both small talk and excited reaction. For example, a learner today should pick 'wow' or 'goodness' over 'by Jove' unless the goal is a clear period or comic effect.

by Jovegoodness ↗blimeywow ↗

Etymology

LatinMiddle EnglishEnglish

From the Latin name 'Iovis', a form of 'Jupiter', the chief god of the Roman pantheon. In English the form 'Jove' has been used since the 14th century as a poetic name for Jupiter, and from the 16th century the oath 'by Jove' replaced 'by God' as a milder way to swear without breaking the religious taboo on God's name.