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.

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Origin of wah-wah

First recorded in 1925–30; imitative

Words nearby wah-wah

Wahiawa, wahine, wahoo, Wahpekute, Wahpeton, wah-wah, wai, Waianae Mountains, waiata, waif, Waikaremoana
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for wah-wah

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012