ai I. \ˈī\interjection oraie\ˈīē\; orai·ee\ˈīē\ Etymology: Middle English — used to express grief, despair, or anguish II. \ˈī, ˈäˌē, äˈē\noun (-s) Etymology: Portuguese ai or Spanish aí, from Tupi ai : a three-toed sloth of the genus Bradypus of So. America III. variant of ayu