wah-wah
or wa-wa
[ wah-wah ]
/ ˈwɑˌwɑ /
|
adjective
producing a muted, bawling sound like that of a trumpet with the hand moved momentarily over the bell: a wah-wah effect on a synthesizer; a guitar with a wah-wah pedal.
noun
a sound or effect like the muted sound of a trumpet, especially in music.
an electronic device or attachment to produce such a sound, often used with an electric guitar.
Nearby words
Origin of wah-wah
First recorded in 1925–30; imitative
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for wah-wah
I ceased making the sound "wah-wah" only when I learned to spell the word.
Story of My Life|Helen KellerHe was the most ordinary kind of gray, jungle monkey, not even a wah-wah or spider face.
Tales of the Malayan Coast|Rounsevelle WildmanIt was the death cry of a wah-wah monkey facing the cruel jaws of a crocodile.
Tales of the Malayan Coast|Rounsevelle WildmanI would like to see a wah-wah of Indian thieves over a melon like that!
The Log School-House on the Columbia|Hezekiah Butterworth
British Dictionary definitions for wah-wah
wah-wah
/ (ˈwɑːˌwɑː) /
noun
the sound made by a trumpet, cornet, etc, when the bell is alternately covered and uncovered: much used in jazz
an electronic attachment for an electric guitar, etc, that simulates this effect
Word Origin for wah-wah
C20: of imitative origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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