voilà

American  

[vwah-lah, vwa-la] / vwɑˈlɑ, vwaˈla /

Or voila

interjection

1. (used to express success or satisfaction).

   Voilà, my new winter outfit!

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Usage

What does voilà mean? Voilà is a word used when enthusiastically revealing something, presenting something, or showing something off. Voilà is borrowed from French, in which it translates as “see there.” Saying voilà is a lot like saying “here it is,” “look at this,” or “check this out” about the thing being presented or revealed. It’s an interjection, meaning it’s a term used to express an emotion or indicate some kind of condition, usually by itself. Voilà is especially used to express satisfaction or success in relation to something that has just been done or shown. It is sometimes used in a humorous or exaggerated way, such as to be dramatic when presenting something, similar to the term ta-da. It is sometimes spelled as voila, without the accent mark over the a. Example: All you have to do is push this button, and voilà! The machine does the work for you!

Etymology

Origin of voilà

First recorded in 1825–35; from French, equivalent to voi “see!” (2nd person singular imperative of voir “to see”) + là “there”

Example Sentences

Voila, Ms. Bass brokered a compromise with her progressive City Council to delay the $30 an hour minimum by two years and phase in increases more slowly.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

One article, on Aug. 20, 1937, is from the French illustrated weekly Voila, which was edited by a pair of Jewish brothers.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2025

Richard, who's 78, brought judge Michelle Visage to tears when, transformed into Voila, he described realising "it's a privilege being gay".

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2024

Voila — a multiparty system, with more voices represented.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 7, 2023

"Voila, voila, je parle Francais," shouted another, seizing hold of his valise.

From Tales from Two Hemispheres by Boyesen, Hjalmar Hjorth