Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
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.

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

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2020

“Captaining your country, going out at Wembley, captaining Arsenal to 10 trophies, playing your first game – they’re all amazing things. But, phew, saving people’s lives takes it out of all context.”

From The Guardian • Jan. 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 the main sentiment is a kind of collective phew: "Everyone will say a prayer - not just for Thanksgiving, but that the campaign is over."

From BBC • Nov. 9, 2012

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.