(also okay ) / əʊˈkeɪ; NAmE oʊ-/ exclamation , adjective , adverb , noun , verb
■ exclamation ( informal )
1.
yes; all right :
'Shall we go for a walk?' 'OK.'
2.
used to attract sb's attention or to introduce a comment :
Okay, let's go.
3.
used to check that sb agrees with you or understands you :
The meeting's at 2, OK?
I'll do it my way, OK?
4.
used to stop people arguing with you or criticizing you :
OK, so I was wrong. I'm sorry.
■ adjective , adverb ( informal )
1.
safe and well; in a calm or happy state :
Are you OK?
➡ note at well
2.
OK (for sb) (to do sth) all right; acceptable; in an acceptable way :
Is it OK if I leave now?
Is it OK for me to come too?
Does my hair look okay?
I think I did OK in the exam.
Whatever you decide, it's okay by me .
an okay movie
■ noun
[ sing. ] ( informal ) permission
SYN go ahead :
I'm still waiting for the boss to give me the OK.
■ verb
( OK's , OK'ing , OK'd , OK'd ) [ vn ] ( informal ) to officially agree to sth or allow it to happen :
She filled in an expenses claim and her manager OK'd it.
SYN approve
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 19th cent. (originally US): probably an abbreviation of orl korrect , humorous form of all correct , popularized as a slogan during President Van Buren's re-election campaign of 1840 in the US; his nickname Old Kinderhook (derived from his birthplace) provided the initials.