whoa

[ hwoh, woh ]

/ ʰwoʊ, woʊ /

interjection

stop! (used especially to horses).

Nearby words

Origin of whoa

First recorded in 1615–25; dialectal variant of ho²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for whoa

One can only assume the hangover cries: “whoa, who did I vote for last night?”
Founding Fathers Loved Drunk Voters|Kevin Bleyer|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She then warns Russia to leave Ukraine alone, to which “Putin” replies, "Whoa, hey Capt. Buzzkill!"
Jimmy Fallon's Surprising Centrist Style|Joe Concha|April 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But when he comes across ScarJo, who says, “Whoa, whoa, whoa: no sex before monogamy”—which is my role—he has to pay the toll.
‘Millionaire Matchmaker’s’ Patti Stanger On ‘Don John,’ Porn Addiction, and Relationships|Patti Stanger|September 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It came out right as I was about to graduate and I think people were like, “Whoa, maybe she was pretty!”
Heather Graham on ‘The Hangover Part III,’ Roles for Women, and More|Marlow Stern|May 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The roll of an approaching vehicle was plainly heard; the coachman's sharp "Whoa!"
Alone|Marion Harland
Then with an expression of radiant gladness, he called “Whoa!”
Dixie Martin|Grace May North
It was certainly from America that the farmers had their cries of "Whoa."
The Foundations of Japan|J.W. Robertson Scott
The chief of the Nedni Apaches, Whoa, was with me and commanded one division.
Geronimo's Story of His Life|Geronimo
But, to my dread, I presently heard Tom cry sharply, "Whoa!"
Philip Winwood|Robert Neilson Stephens

British Dictionary definitions for whoa

whoa

/ (wəʊ) /

interjection

a command used esp to horses to stop or slow down

Word Origin for whoa

C19: variant of ho 1

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

Word Origin and History for whoa

whoa

1620s, a cry to call attention from a distance, a variant of who. As a command to stop a horse, it is attested from 1843, a variant of ho. As an expression of delight or surprise (1980s) it has gradually superseded wow, which was very popular 1960s.