whoop

[hwoop, hwoop, woop, woop]

noun

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

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

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.

whoop

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of whoop¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of whoop¹

C14: of imitative origin

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

"This show is not important. What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this," Kimmel said to whoops from his studio audience.

Read more on BBC

He followed that with a series of whooping cheers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The theatrics seemed to work, as a membership sometimes mocked for its mild-mannered approach got to its collective feet and filled the air with whoops of approval and the flutter of hundreds of mini flags.

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Another disease to watch out for is pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, for instance, used to be rare, but are now a monthly occurrence, she said.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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