gee-whiz

[ jee-hwiz, -wiz ]
/ ˈdʒiˈʰwɪz, -ˈwɪz /

adjective Informal.

arousing or characterized by surprise, wonder, or triumphant achievement: a gee-whiz technology; a gee-whiz reaction to the sight of the Grand Canyon.

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?
Question 1 of 10
earnest
full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.
a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.
urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of gee-whiz

First recorded in 1930–35

Words nearby gee-whiz

geddit, gee, gee whiz, gee-gee, gee-string, gee-whiz, geebag, geebung, geechee, geegaw, geek

Definition for gee-whiz (2 of 2)

gee whiz

interjection Informal.

gee2.

Origin of gee whiz

1880–85, Americanism; apparently euphemistic alteration of Jesus, with final syllable replaced by whiz1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for gee-whiz

British Dictionary definitions for gee-whiz

gee-whiz

adjective

informal impressive or amazinggee-whiz special effects

Word Origin for gee-whiz

C20: from gee ²
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with gee-whiz

gee whiz

An expression of surprise, dismay, or enthusiasm. For example, Gee whiz, Dad, I thought you'd let me borrow the car, or Gee whiz, they finally won the Series! This term is thought to be a euphemism for “Jesus Christ.” [Slang; 1870s]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.