wow

¹

[wou]

interjection

1. (an exclamation of surprise, wonder, pleasure, or the like).

   Wow! Look at that!

verb (used with object)

1. to gain an enthusiastic response from; thrill.

noun

1. an extraordinary success.

   His act is a real wow.

2. excitement, interest, great pleasure, or the like.

   a car that will add some wow to your life.

wow

²

[wou]

noun

1. Audio.,  a slow wavering of pitch in sound recording or reproducing equipment caused by uneven speed of the turntable or the tape.

2. Scot. and North England Dialect.,  a howl, wail, bark, whine, or mew.

verb (used without object)

1. Scot. and North England Dialect.,  to howl, wail, bark, whine, or mew.

wow

¹

/ waʊ /

interjection

1. an exclamation of admiration, amazement, etc

noun

1. slang,  a person or thing that is amazingly successful, attractive, etc

verb

1. slang,  (tr) to arouse great enthusiasm in

WOW

²

abbreviation

1. waiting on weather: used esp in the oil industry

wow

³

/ waʊ, wəʊ /

noun

1. a slow variation or distortion in pitch that occurs at very low audio frequencies in sound-reproducing systems, such as a record player, usually due to variation in speed of the turntable, etc See also flutter

Word History and Origins

Origin of wow¹

1890–95; perhaps identical with Scots wow! exclamation of surprise or admiration

Origin of wow²

1800–10 wow ² for defs. 2, 3; 1930–35 wow ² for def. 1; imitative; the audio term is probably an independent formation

Word History and Origins

Origin of wow¹

C16: originally Scottish, expressive of surprise, amazement, etc

Origin of wow²

C20: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Perhaps, and No 10 fervently hopes, Sir Keir will wow the crowds at conference, and display why he earned the job to start with, and won the election in the first place.

From BBC

I remember being in the tunnel thinking, 'wow, this is amazing'.

From BBC

“And wow, I actually get to spill coffee on an A-lister! It was cool and fun.”

From Los Angeles Times

It looks like wowing the judges on “Dancing With the Stars” is now an Irwin family tradition.

From Los Angeles Times

“For many young people who are so lucky and privileged to study abroad, that’s the moment when you go, ‘Oh, wow.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• charm 
• entertain