voilà

American  

[vwah-lah, vwa-la] / vwɑˈlɑ, vwaˈla /

Or voila

interjection

1. (used to express success or satisfaction).

   Voilà, my new winter outfit!

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Usage

What does voilà mean? Voilà is a word used when enthusiastically revealing something, presenting something, or showing something off. Voilà is borrowed from French, in which it translates as “see there.” Saying voilà is a lot like saying “here it is,” “look at this,” or “check this out” about the thing being presented or revealed. It’s an interjection, meaning it’s a term used to express an emotion or indicate some kind of condition, usually by itself. Voilà is especially used to express satisfaction or success in relation to something that has just been done or shown. It is sometimes used in a humorous or exaggerated way, such as to be dramatic when presenting something, similar to the term ta-da. It is sometimes spelled as voila, without the accent mark over the a. Example: All you have to do is push this button, and voilà! The machine does the work for you!

Etymology

Origin of voilà

First recorded in 1825–35; from French, equivalent to voi “see!” (2nd person singular imperative of voir “to see”) + là “there”

Example Sentences

Then, over the weekend, voilà, the police got their men—two of them anyway.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 27, 2025

Pour a splash into a mug, add boiling water and voilà.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 18, 2023

Just prepare your dough, add the batter to the nonstick plate, press down the lid — and voilà, you or your loved one will have yummy doughnuts that are great for snacking and entertaining.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2023

The boldest cats entered huts and perhaps allowed themselves to be petted – kittens are adorable! – and, voilà, the domestic cat was born.

From Salon • Aug. 11, 2023

With one press of a lever, the pee and poop were flushed away and voilà!

From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth