Synonyms

whew

American

[hwyoo] / ʰwyu /

interjection

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

noun

an utterance of “whew.”

whew British

/ hwjuː /

interjection

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

"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

Etymology

Origin of whew

First recorded in 1505–15; imitative

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Learning that at a young age was — whew!

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 26, 2025

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

From Slate • Jun. 9, 2023

“He’s been working for, whew, a long time, countless amounts of hours, rehab, in the gym, in the weight room. And I’m excited for him to get back.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 6, 2022

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

From Salon • Oct. 28, 2021

He lets go and whew, I can breathe again.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023