Jo
What it means
A sweetheart or beloved person in Scots and northern English usage.
Reach for it when addressing or naming a beloved person in regional or traditional language
She crossed the crowded hall to greet her jo.
Words to choose between 5
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| literary |
|
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everyday
Fits when familiar British address is appropriate
Careful Love varies sharply by region and can be mistaken for casual friendliness.
-
warm
Fits when direct affectionate address feels natural
Careful Darling may sound patronizing or theatrical outside an intimate relationship.
-
warm
Fits when affectionate partnership is clear to a wide audience
Careful Sweetheart can sound sentimental where the regional restraint of jo is desired.
-
professional
Fits when the relationship should be named without implying gender or marital status
Careful Partner is neutral and omits the tenderness carried by jo.
-
literary
Fits when deep love suits elevated or memorial prose
Careful Beloved is more solemn and emotionally explicit than jo.
Opposites 3
- stranger
- enemy
- rival
Common phrases 3
-
dear jo
He left a final verse for his dear jo.
-
faithful jo
Her faithful jo returned with the spring fleet.
-
my jo
The old song calls gently to my jo across the water.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Jo in this sense is regionally marked and can be mistaken for a personal name.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated