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Synonyms

phew

American  
[fyoo, pfyoo, whyoo] / fyu, pfyu, whyu /

interjection

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

    Phew, it's hot!
phew British  
/ fjuː /

interjection

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

"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

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

“I was like, phew, I finally did it,” Grattan said.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2020

“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.