phew
[fyoo, pfyoo, whyoo]
interjection
(used as an exclamation to express disgust, exhaustion, surprise, impatience, relief, etc.): Phew, it's hot!
RELATED CONTENT
What’s The Difference Between Acronyms And Abbreviations?
Is there a difference between acronyms and abbreviations? Most people think they’re pretty similar … and they’re definitely used in similar ways. But, there are slight differences What is an abbreviation? An abbreviation is any shortened or contracted form of a word or phrase. Did you catch the word any in there? That means abbreviation is the blanket term for all these shortened words we’ve all been using …
READ MORE
What’s Nuclear About A Football?
Whose nuclear launch button is bigger? There has been a serious kerfuffle in the news about buttons and their relative size. Specifically, nuclear launch buttons. Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, flatly stated that a nuclear button is on his desk at all times. “It’s not a mere threat but a reality that I have a nuclear button on the desk in my office.” …
READ MORE
RELATED WORDS
exclamation, wow, amen, hello, alas, boo, hurrah, ahem, oh, whoopee, hooray, shucks, er, gosh, well, gesundheit, golly, ouch, rah, ah
Origin of phew
First recorded in 1595–1605
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for phew
Contemporary Examples of phew
Phew, he could have sex too, so an heir for Downton was assured.
Dan Stevens Blows Up ‘Downton’: From Chubby-Cheeked Aristo to Lean, Mean American PsychoTim Teeman
September 19, 2014
Historical Examples of phew
Phew, that doesn't sound like our fine lady of the stony heart!
Miss Pat at SchoolPemberton Ginther
"Phew," said Horse Egan, when a burial-party had taken over the burden.
Soldiers Three, Part II.Rudyard Kipling
His meat, what he would sell my customers, what trust me for years, phew!
The Woodcraft Girls at CampLillian Elizabeth Roy
Don't you know, Richard, when you were untying it at the top of the steps I said 'Phew!
Georgina of the RainbowsAnnie Fellows Johnston
They are one ov the phew who take their house with them, when they go away from home.
The Complete Works of Josh BillingsHenry W. Shaw
phew
interjection
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
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper