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OK, O.K., okay

Okay and the abbreviations OK and O.K. are informal and should be replaced by synonyms such as acceptable, all right, correct, approval, authorize or recommend in formal writing.

  • Ian says he’ll be okay (all right) once his cold clears up.
  • Once we have the Board’s okay (approval), we can begin hiring staff for the project.
  • Jill okayed (authorized) the travel claims submitted by her staff.

In everyday writing, choose okay rather than OK or O.K.

  • Are my vacation plans okay (not O.K.) with you?

The plural of the abbreviations is formed by adding ’s (OK’s or O.K.’s).

  • You should replace the two OK’s in your email message with the word okay or with a more formal synonym.