Okay, OK

We use okay (also spelt OK) in informal language. We use it in different ways, as a discourse marker, adjective or adverb.

Okay as a discourse marker

Agreeing

We use okay as a response token to show that we understand, accept, or agree with what someone is saying:

A:
I’ll see you at 5 in front of the library.

B:
OK. See you later.

A:
Why don’t you get a lift with Raviv?

B:
Oh, okay.

Changing topic or closing a conversation

We often use okay to show that we are moving on to a new topic or phase of conversation. This is common in situations where we are giving instructions:

Okay, let’s get into groups of four now.

[piano teacher to pupil]

OK, right, let’s see. Now, keep that hand ready, so it’s there when you want it.

We also use okay to mark the end of a conversation:

Right, okay, take care of yourself. Bye.

Checking understanding

We often use okay? to check understanding. We usually put it in end position:

I know it’s difficult to talk … just nod or shake your head. OK?

Tie it the opposite way … just like tying a shoelace really, okay?

Okay as an adjective

We often use okay as an adjective to say that something is not a problem, it’s ‘all right’:

A:
Thanks for helping me out.

B:
That’sOK. No problem.

A:
Sorry to keep you waiting.

B:
It’sokay.

‘It’s OK, just tell me what to do,’ I said. I think I was a bit afraid, but I was trying to sound calm.

We often use okay to talk about our health:

A:
How are you?

B:
I’mokay, thanks.

[talking about someone who has been very ill]

She’s going to be OK.

We use okay to say that a situation or state is satisfactory, neither very good or very bad:

‘What do you think of my plans?’ ‘They’re okay,’ Jenny said unenthusiastically.

Okay as an adverb

Okay is used as an adverb in informal speech, meaning ‘all right’, ‘neither well nor badly’:

Even though I had never slept in a tent, in a sleeping bag or had any experience canoeing, I did OK.

The Internet was down all morning, but it seems to be working okay now.