noun
SOS
ehs-oh-EHS
noun
1
An international distress signal, traditionally sent in Morse code, used to call for urgent help.
"The sinking ship radioed an SOS before losing power."
2
By extension, any urgent call for help.
"She sent an SOS text when her car broke down."
How to Use SOS
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe classic emergency distress call, now used loosely for any urgent plea for help.
Common mistake
It isn't really an acronym for anything — that's a popular myth.
Common pairings
send an SOS
SOS signal
SOS call
Word Forms
SOS's plural, SOSes plural
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The sinking ship radioed an _____ before losing power.
Etymology
Chosen in the early 1900s purely because its Morse pattern (three dots, three dashes, three dots) is short and easy to send and recognize — not, despite popular belief, an abbreviation for "save our souls" or "save our ship."