phew

[fyoo, pfyoo, whyoo]

interjection

1. (used as an exclamation to express disgust, exhaustion, surprise, impatience, relief, etc.).

   Phew, it's hot!

phew

/ fjuː /

interjection

1. an exclamation of relief, surprise, disbelief, weariness, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of phew¹

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

He “was groaning a lot, saying, ‘Phew.’

Read more on Slate

Landlady Beccy Webster said: "When the final whistle went, I just said 'phew!'"

Read more on BBC

This postseason features two rising-star rookie quarterbacks, at least two Week 1 rematches and one big phew.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Phew,” wrote the X critic, “because we all would hate to think a non-citizen, or an illegal immigrant, could ever harm innocent people.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Most readers probably got no further than that: Phew, democracy saved and all!

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• cry 
• exclamation 
• expletive 
• insertion 
• interpolation 
• interposition 
• shout