WHEW

Etymology 1

Interjection

whew

An expressive sound made indicating the release of one's inner tension; the release of breath; an expression of relief.

An expression of amazement or surprise.

Synonyms

• (expressing relief of tension): phew

• (expressing surprise): wow

Verb

whew (third-person singular simple present whews, present participle whewing, simple past and past participle whewed)

(UK, Scotland, dialect) To whistle with a shrill pipe, like a plover.

Etymology 2

Verb

whew (third-person singular simple present whews, present participle whewing, simple past and past participle whewed)

(intransitive, UK, dialect) To bustle about.

Source: Wiktionary


Whew (hwu), n. & interj.

Definition: A sound like a half-formed whistle, expressing astonishment, scorn, or dislike. Whew duck, the European widgeon. [Prov. Eng.]

Whew, v. i.

Definition: To whistle with a shrill pipe, like a plover. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

22 February 2025

ANALYSIS

(noun) the use of closed-class words instead of inflections: e.g., ‘the father of the bride’ instead of ‘the bride’s father’


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