wahoo

[ wah-hoo, wah-hoo ]

/ wɑˈhu, ˈwɑ hu /

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noun, plural wa·hoos.

any of various American shrubs or small trees, as the winged elm, Ulmus alata, or a linden, Tilia heterophylla.

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Origin of wahoo

An Americanism dating back to 1760–70; possibly from Creek vhahwv “walnut”

Words nearby wahoo

Wagyu, Wahhabi, Wahhabism, Wahiawa, wahine, wahoo, Wahpekute, Wahpeton, wah-wah, wai, Waianae Mountains

Definition for wahoo (2 of 4)

wahoo²

[ wah-hoo, wah-hoo ]

/ wɑˈhu, ˈwɑ hu /

noun, plural wa·hoos.

a shrub or small tree, Euonymus atropurpurea, of North America, having finely serrated, elliptical leaves and pendulous capsules that in opening reveal the bright-scarlet arils of the seeds.

Also called burning bush.

Origin of wahoo

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; from Dakota wanhu, equivalent to wan- “arrow” + hu “wood, shaft”

Definition for wahoo (3 of 4)

wahoo³

[ wah-hoo, wah-hoo ]

/ wɑˈhu, ˈwɑ hu /

noun, plural wa·hoos, (especially collectively) wa·hoo.

a large, swift mackerel, Acanthocybium solanderi, widespread in warm seas, of a steel blue to greenish blue above and silver below, often leaping from the water and occasionally schooling in great numbers: valued as a food and game fish.

Also called peto.

Origin of wahoo

First recorded in 1905–10; origin uncertain; perhaps from Wahoo, an obsolete spelling for Oahu (Hawaii)

Definition for wahoo (4 of 4)

wahoo⁴

[ wah-hoo ]

/ ˈwɑˈhu /

interjection

(an exclamation used to express joy, excitement, etc.)

Origin of wahoo

⁴

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05; of imitative origin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use wahoo in a sentence

A sobering article on gang rape inside a UVA fraternity has Wahoo alumni like myself up in arms.
How UVA Is Failing Its Women|Allison McNearney|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The detachment would pass on its march within a short distance of Wahoo Swamp and might easily be surprised and overpowered.
Four American Indians|Edson L. Whitney
Three days later they rallied to meet General Call, who was advancing upon Wahoo swamp with over a thousand men.
Four American Indians|Edson L. Whitney
Of late, he has fixed his residence at Wahoo; upon learning of which, the captain determined to proceed thither.
A Voyage Round the World, from 1806 to 1812|Archibald Campbell

Maccallum informed me that it was very fertile; that provisions were abundant, and much cheaper than at either Owhyhee or Wahoo.
A Voyage Round the World, from 1806 to 1812|Archibald Campbell
Upon Wahoo alone he had estates on which were four or five hundred people, who cultivated the land, and paid him a rent in kind.
A Voyage Round the World, from 1806 to 1812|Archibald Campbell

British Dictionary definitions for wahoo (1 of 3)

wahoo¹

/ (wɑːˈhuː, ˈwɑːhuː) /

noun plural -hoos

an elm, Ulmus alata, of SE North America having twigs with winged corky edgesAlso called: winged elm

Word Origin for wahoo

from Creek ǔhawhu cork elm

British Dictionary definitions for wahoo (2 of 3)

wahoo²

/ (wɑːˈhuː, ˈwɑːhuː) /

noun plural -hoos

an E North American shrub or small tree, Euonymus atropurpureus, with scarlet capsules and seedsAlso called: burning bush

Word Origin for wahoo

C19: from Dakota wāhu arrowwood

British Dictionary definitions for wahoo (3 of 3)

wahoo³

/ (wɑːˈhuː, ˈwɑːhuː) /

noun plural -hoos

a large fast-moving food and game fish, Acanthocybium solandri, of tropical seas: family Scombridae (mackerels and tunnies)

Word Origin for wahoo

of unknown 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