whoop

[ woop, woop, hwoop, hwoop ]

/ wʊp, wup, ʰwup, ʰwʊp /

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See synonyms for: whoop / whooping / whoops on Thesaurus.com

noun

a loud cry or shout, as of excitement or joy.

the sound made by a person suffering from whooping cough.

verb (used without object)

to utter a loud cry or shout in expressing enthusiasm, excitement, etc.

to cry as an owl, crane, or certain other birds.

to make the characteristic sound accompanying the deep intake of air following a series of coughs in whooping cough.

verb (used with object)

to utter with or as if with a whoop.

to whoop to or at.

to call, urge, pursue, or drive with whoops: to whoop dogs on.

interjection

(used as a cry to attract attention from afar, or to show excitement, encouragement, enthusiasm, etc.)

Verb Phrases

whoop up, Informal. to promote or praise; extol: a class reunion where they whoop up the good old days.

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Idioms about whoop

not worth a whoop, Informal. to be worthless: Their promises aren't worth a whoop.

whoop it up, Informal.

to raise a disturbance, as to celebrate noisily: They whooped it up after winning the big game.
to stir up enthusiasm, as for an idea or project: Every spring they whoop it up for the circus.

Origin of whoop

1350–1400; Middle English whopen,Old English hwōpan to threaten; cognate with Gothic hwopan to boast

Words nearby whoop

whomever, whomp, whomso, whomsoever, whoof, whoop, whoop-de-do, whoopee, whoopee cushion, whooper, whooper swan

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

How to use whoop in a sentence

This is food that prompts little whoops of pleasure and encourages discussion.
Tosca returns to business downtown with a fresh look and new chef|Tom Sietsema|June 4, 2021|Washington Post
Their vocals ranged from yodels to yips, whoops to whispers.
What Makes Music Universal - Issue 99: Universality|Kevin Berger|April 29, 2021|Nautilus
The only remaining question is where Sony found such a giant can of whoop-ass.
PS 4 Beats Xbox One For Best New Video Game Console|Winston Ross|June 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
That was some whoop-de-doo speech Barack Obama gave Tuesday in Florida.
Michael Tomasky: Economic Fairness Isn’t Enough for Obama’s Game Plan|Michael Tomasky|April 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Finally I located and extracted the missing bauble, and with a triumphant whoop Elizabeth led me back into the waiting room.
Where I Found Elizabeth Taylor's Diamond Earring|Sandra McElwaine|March 24, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Two-seventy happened and with it the apprehensive city at last let out a collective whoop of relief and jubilation.
The Capital Goes Nuts|Simon Schama|November 6, 2008|DAILY BEAST
In a spontaneous act of call and response, we all whoop and start clapping back, united by euphoria.
Subway Euphoria|Jessi Klein|November 5, 2008|DAILY BEAST
Giving a terrific whoop, he raised his gun and fired, the ball just missing Lawrence's head.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
Well, I'll make the salve an' do the talkin'; Giz'll sort o' whoop things up a bit and Lut'er'll git cured.
Fifty Contemporary One-Act Plays|Various
Well, I seemed to be in the open river again by and by, but I couldn't hear no sign of a whoop nowheres.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Complete|Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
Away down there somewheres I hears a small whoop, and up comes my spirits.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Complete|Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
He stared for a moment wildly at the occupants of the Warren easy chairs, and the next moment let out a whoop of delight.
The Rival Campers Afloat|Ruel Perley Smith

British Dictionary definitions for whoop

whoop

/ (wuːp) /

verb

to utter (speech) with loud cries, as of enthusiasm or excitement

med to cough convulsively with a crowing sound made at each inspiration

(of certain birds) to utter (a hooting cry)

(tr) to urge on or call with or as if with whoops

whoop it up (wʊp, wuːp) informal

to indulge in a noisy celebration
US to arouse enthusiasm

noun

a loud cry, esp one expressing enthusiasm or excitement

med the convulsive crowing sound made during a paroxysm of whooping cough

not worth a whoop informal worthless

Word Origin for whoop

C14: of imitative 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

Medical definitions for whoop

whoop

[ hōōp, wōōp ]

The paroxysmal gasp characteristic of whooping cough.

whoop

Idioms about whoop

Origin of whoop

Words nearby whoop

Words related to whoop

How to use whoop in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for whoop

Word Origin for whoop

Medical definitions for whoop