phew
Americaninterjection
interjection
Etymology
Origin of phew
First recorded in 1595–1605
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In an update to her social media on Friday, she said had completed chemotherapy: "Seems I'm not dead... So, phew, big relief."
From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026
You can purchase most of these gifts in person in Los Angeles and at the last minute, phew.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2022
“I don’t know how many kilometers I was alone - phew, it was a bit risky but I tried to up the pace and I really profited.”
From Washington Post • Jul. 17, 2018
But I had a lot more fun watching the performances this week than I ever expected, so that's a great big "phew" from the peanut gallery, and I'll eventually learn to trust the producers.
From Salon • Jul. 15, 2010
I just smell like soap, but there have been days, especially after gym class, when, phew, the odor easing out has been kinda ripe.
From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
