whoop

American  

[hwoop, hwoop, woop, woop] / ʰwup, ʰwʊp, wup, wʊp /

noun

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

2. the sound made by a person suffering from whooping cough.

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verb (used without object)

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

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

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

verb (used with object)

1. to utter with or as if with a whoop.

2. to whoop to or at.

3. to call, urge, pursue, or drive with whoops.

   to whoop dogs on.

interjection

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

verb phrase

1. whoop up to promote or praise; extol.

   a class reunion where they whoop up the good old days.

idioms

1. whoop it up,

   1. to raise a disturbance, as to celebrate noisily.

      They whooped it up after winning the big game.

   2. to stir up enthusiasm, as for an idea or project.

      Every spring they whoop it up for the circus.

2. not worth a whoop, to be worthless.

   Their promises aren't worth a whoop.

whoop British  

/ wuːp /

verb

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

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

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

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

5. informal

   1. to indulge in a noisy celebration

   2. to arouse enthusiasm

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noun

1. a loud cry, esp one expressing enthusiasm or excitement

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

3. informal worthless

Etymology

Origin of whoop

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

Example Sentences

Nearby, a desert tortoise had emerged from its burrow to munch on some grass — a rare sight that elicited a whoop of joy from Wilcox.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Several years ago, on a cross-Atlantic literary festival where Shriver was an invited author, I observed a packed audience whoop and cheer Shriver’s mordant observations about everything wrong with the world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026

The mentions are fairly humdrum in themselves - but worth noting because every time Goldie was mentioned, MPs would cheer, whoop and whistle, in that special way that is peculiar to MPs in the Commons.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2025

As the male lead entered the stage in a new production of “Romeo and Juliet” in London, a single, very loud whoop erupted from the orchestra level.

From New York Times • May 24, 2024

Seems like thinking you’re ’bout to get busted in the head with a buzzing stone and not having it happen makes you want to give a good old whoop.

From "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis

Related Words

• boo
• hoot
• howl
• jeer
• shriek
• squawk