okay

[ oh-key, oh-key, oh-key ]
/ ˈoʊˈkeɪ, ˌoʊˈkeɪ, ˈoʊˌkeɪ /

adjective, adverb, interjection, noun, verb (used with object)

OK.

Definition for okayed (2 of 2)

Origin of OK

initials of a facetious folk phonetic spelling, e.g., oll or orl korrect representing all correct, first attested in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1839, then used in 1840 by Democrat partisans of Martin Van Buren during his election campaign, who allegedly named their organization, the O.K. Club, in allusion to the initials of Old Kinderhook, Van Buren's nickname, derived from his birthplace Kinderhook, New York

usage note for OK

Few Americanisms have been more successful than ok, which survived the political campaign of 1840 that fostered it, quickly lost its political significance, and went on to develop use as a verb, adverb, noun, and interjection. The expression was well known in England by the 1880s. Today ok has achieved worldwide recognition and use. It occurs in all but the most formal speech and writing.

Example sentences from the Web for okayed

  • The next woman wanted to cash a check and that had to be okayed by the manager.

    Jerry's Charge Account |Hazel Hutchins Wilson
  • He asked for an appointment with me; I okayed the request because of his reputation.

    Suite Mentale |Gordon Randall Garrett
  • "We cannot come in until our cargo has been examined and okayed," the engineer said.

    The Brain |Alexander Blade
  • Of course I okayed the orders cutting you down—a matter of routine—I had to follow through.

    Ten From Infinity |Paul W. Fairman

British Dictionary definitions for okayed (1 of 2)

OK

abbreviation for

Oklahoma

British Dictionary definitions for okayed (2 of 2)

okay
/ (ˌəʊˈkeɪ) /

sentence substitute, adjective, verb, noun

a variant of O.K.