oomph

[ oomf ]

/ ʊmf /

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noun Informal.

energy; vitality; enthusiasm.

sex appeal.

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Origin of oomph

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40; imitative of the sound made during exertion, as in lifting a heavy object

Words nearby oomph

oolong, oom, oomiak, oompah, Oom Paul, oomph, oomycete, oomycota, -oon, Oona, oont

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use oomph in a sentence

The molecules gain extra oomph from striking the carbon nanotubes on the bottom of the craft.
Tiny, sunlight-powered aircraft could soar beyond airplanes’ reach|Emily Conover|February 12, 2021|Science News
A little color coordination goes a long way, so getting a pair that matches your best scarf can give a winter outfit an extra bit of oomph.
Best mittens: Keep your hands cozy|PopSci Commerce Team|February 8, 2021|Popular-Science
The backspin helps the light ammo stay airborne for longer without requiring extra oomph behind each shot.
Nerf’s newest blaster shoots spinning balls for dramatic curves|Stan Horaczek|January 27, 2021|Popular-Science
The design of its models can be a bit old-school ordinary, but what they lack in visual oomph, they more than makeup for in sound and savings.
Best computer speakers: Make music, video chats, and more a whole lot clearer|Jeremy Helligar|January 12, 2021|Popular-Science

In addition to installing the rocket’s innards, the company next needs to assemble the Super Heavy, a massive lower stage booster that will give Starship the oomph it needs to actually get into orbit.
SpaceX’s Starship flies, belly flops, and bursts into flames|Charlie Wood|December 10, 2020|Popular-Science
Any good Baby Boom boy my age can testify that the oomph went out of American family car design in 1963.
P.J. O’Rourke on Grabbing the Keys to Happiness|P. J. O’Rourke|January 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All the oomph in the U.S. economy was delivered by the top 10% of households.
How Ted Cruz Can Win in 2016|David Frum|October 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The idea is to give your games, movies, and TV shows a bit of mobile oomph.
What’s So Smart About SmartGlass? 15 Questions|Alex Klein|June 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
I doubt a Volt would even have enough oomph to warm the car up here!
Bristol Palin’s Blog: Her Take on Gay Marriage & More|Caitlin Dickson|May 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Abnegation is a way of adding oomph to any ritual; putting your stomach where your mouth is.
The Enlightenment Diet|Bruce Feiler|September 27, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Then a look of intelligence came into mammy's fat face, "Oomph," she said.
The Strength of Gideon and Other Stories|Paul Laurence Dunbar
About the only remarks that could be elicited from the "little yaller man" were a reluctant "oomph" or "oomph-uh."
Americans All|Various

British Dictionary definitions for oomph

oomph

/ (ʊmf) /

noun informal

enthusiasm, vigour, or energy

sex appeal

Word Origin for oomph

C20: perhaps imitative of the bellow of a mating bull

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

oomph

Origin of oomph

Words nearby oomph

Words related to oomph

How to use oomph in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for oomph

Word Origin for oomph