• (Scotland) IPA: /d͡ʒoː/

From Scots jo, from Middle English joye, from Old French joie, from Late Latin gaudia, neuter plural (mistaken as feminine singular) of Latin gaudium, from gaudēre ("to be glad, rejoice").

jo (plural jos)

1. (Scotland) Darling, sweetheart.
   • 1711, traditional, published by James Watson, Old Long Syne ↗:

     On Old long syne my Jo,
     on Old long syne,
     That thou canst never once reflect,
     on Old long syne.

   • My Jo Janet (traditional Scottish song)

     Keek into the draw-well, Janet, Janet;
     There ye'll see your bonnie sel',
     My jo, Janet.

jo (plural jo)

1. The staff used in the Japanese martial art of jodo or jojutsu.

• • (RP) IPA: /d͡ʒəʊ/
  • (America) IPA: /d͡ʒoʊ/

Clipping or hypochoristic form of various female given names beginning with Jo..., primarily Joan, Joanna, etc. but also Josephine and Jolene.

1. A female given name.

Variant of Joe, diminutive form of Joseph, Josiah, etc.

1. (rare) Alternative form of Joe.
   • 1852 March – 1853 September, Charles Dickens, “Chapter XI”, in Bleak House, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1853, →OCLC ↗:

     Name, Jo. Nothing else that he knows on. Don't know that everybody has two names. Never heerd of sich a think. Don't know that Jo is short for a longer name. Thinks it long enough for him. He don't find no fault with it. Spell it? No. He can't spell it.

jo

1. (slang) Init of jerk off
2. (Philippines) Initialism of job order
3. (Philippines) A job order employee.
4. (Philippines) Initialism of job offer
5. Abbreviation of jail officer

   Coordinate terms: JO1, JO2

6. Abbreviation of junior officer

   Coordinate terms: JO1, JO2