whoop

[hwoop, hwoop, woop, woop]

noun

1. a loud cry or shout, as of excitement or joy.

2. the sound made by a person suffering from whooping cough.

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a loud cry or shout in expressing enthusiasm, excitement, etc.

2. to cry as an owl, crane, or certain other birds.

3. to make the characteristic sound accompanying the deep intake of air following a series of coughs in whooping cough.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter with or as if with a whoop.

2. to whoop to or at.

3. to call, urge, pursue, or drive with whoops.

   to whoop dogs on.

interjection

1. (used as a cry to attract attention from afar, or to show excitement, encouragement, enthusiasm, etc.)

verb phrase

1. whoop up,  to promote or praise; extol.

   a class reunion where they whoop up the good old days.

whoop

/ wuːp /

verb

1. to utter (speech) with loud cries, as of enthusiasm or excitement

2. med to cough convulsively with a crowing sound made at each inspiration

3. (of certain birds) to utter (a hooting cry)

4. (tr) to urge on or call with or as if with whoops

5. informal

   1. to indulge in a noisy celebration

   2. to arouse enthusiasm

noun

1. a loud cry, esp one expressing enthusiasm or excitement

2. med the convulsive crowing sound made during a paroxysm of whooping cough

3. informal,  worthless

Word History and Origins

Origin of whoop¹

1350–1400; Middle English whopen, Old English hwōpan to threaten; cognate with Gothic hwopan to boast

Word History and Origins

Origin of whoop¹

C14: of imitative origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. whoop it up,

   1. to raise a disturbance, as to celebrate noisily.

      They whooped it up after winning the big game.

   2. to stir up enthusiasm, as for an idea or project.

      Every spring they whoop it up for the circus.

2. not worth a whoop, to be worthless.

   Their promises aren't worth a whoop.

Example Sentences

The result was greeted by whoops and cheers, with Polanski promising in his victory speech to "work every single day to grow this party" and paying tribute to his defeated rivals.

From BBC

The death, which occurred between January and June 2025, is the first fatal case of whooping cough in the UK this year.

From BBC

As he leads the orchestra in rehearsals at London's Air Studios, they whoop and cheer, enjoying themselves in a way that orchestras rarely do.

From BBC

After three hours of superhuman justice, humour, romance, and vengeance, cinemas are littered with popcorn like confetti, and fans spill into the streets, whooping with cathartic delight.

From BBC

One muscular kid who’s been pumping up to defend himself lets out an excited war whoop when it’s finally time to fight for his life.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• boo 
• hoot 
• howl 
• jeer 
• shriek 
• squawk