whew

[hwyoo]

interjection

1. (a whistling exclamation or sound expressing astonishment, dismay, relief, etc.)

noun

1. an utterance of “whew.”

whew

/ hwjuː /

interjection

1. an exclamation or sharply exhaled breath expressing relief, surprise, delight, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of whew¹

First recorded in 1505–15; imitative

Example Sentences

“Whew! That feels better, Miss Lumley—I mean, Penelope. Say, you’ll never believe what happened, it’s quite a tale—well, look how big you’ve grown, you three!” he said, for the children had jumped upon him in joy, with many cries of “Simahwoo! Simahwoo!”

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“Whew! Dow closes above 10,000,” the El Paso Times of Texas wrote of “Wall Street’s comeback.”

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Learning that at a young age was — whew!

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You want the eater to pause mid-bite and say, “Wait — what is that flavor?” rather than, “Whew, that’s sweet.”

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“Often when I finish a project, I’m like, ‘Whew!

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