whew

American  

[hwyoo] / ʰwyu /

interjection

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

---

noun

1. an utterance of “whew.”

whew British  

/ hwjuː /

interjection

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

---

Etymology

Origin of whew

First recorded in 1505–15; imitative

Example Sentences

At the time, he said, kindergarten readiness rates “were like, whew, rock bottom.”

From Seattle Times • Oct. 29, 2023

But whew boy, the situation is even worse than early reporting implied!

From Slate • Jun. 9, 2023

It was like, whew, because that stuff can wear on you after time.

From Salon • Oct. 28, 2021

Being that upfront that early is, well, more of an “oh dear” than a whew, but change isn’t stubborn; like being in a state of play, it comes from being vulnerable.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 14, 2021

I didn’t even see Augustus come upstairs, but he came over and wiped his brow with the back of his hand like whew and said, “You’re a champion.”

From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green