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Definition of sos

sos

/ˌɛs.oʊˈɛs/
S · O · S
Plural:SOSs
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sos Lexical Profile

sos Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An international Morse code distress signal used especially by ships and aircraft in extreme danger, or any urgent appeal for help.

Example

"The stranded hikers used a flashlight to signal an SOS to the rescue helicopter overhead."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• interjection

1

Used as an urgent call for help or rescue in an emergency.

Example

"SOS! The engine room is flooding and we are losing power rapidly."

Synonyms
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• Rhymes for sos

• Nearby Words

sorted
sorter
sortie
sos
souffle
souk
soul

Word Origin & Etymology

Adopted internationally in 1906 as a wireless radiotelegraph distress signal; the letters S-O-S were chosen because their Morse code sequence (three dots, three dashes, three dots) is unmistakable and easy to transmit, and only later became associated with folk backronyms such as 'Save Our Ship' or 'Save Our Souls'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sos. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sos
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