whoops [hwoo ps, hwoops, woo ps, woops]
Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for whoops on Thesaurus.com (used to express surprise, mild embarrassment, etc., or as a casual apology.) Show More
whoop [hoop, hoo p; especially for 1, 3, 4, 6–12 hwoop, hwoo p, woop, woo p]
a loud cry or shout, as of excitement or joy. the sound made by a person suffering from whooping cough . Show More
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 . Show More
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. Show More
(used as a cry to attract attention from afar, or to show excitement, encouragement, enthusiasm, etc.) Show More
whoop up , Informal to promote or praise; extol: a class reunion where they whoop up the good old days. Show More
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. Show More
Origin of whoop 1350–1400; Middle English whopen, Old English hwōpan to threaten; cognate with Gothic hwopan to boast
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for whoops Contemporary Examples of whoops Of course, this was greeted with a round of applause and whoops from her room of willingly incarcerated followers.
Private, intimate, dirty things are captured and then—whoops !
All those roads and systems have to be maintained . . .and whoops !
More giddy people climb aboard, and again we erupt into applause and whoops .
Historical Examples of whoops I don't think she ever cared two whoops for me, to tell you the truth.
For a long time we had ceased to hear the mate's whoops and yells.
We grew uneasy, and then he said two whoops might be heard from his cabin.
High-pitched Indians whoops sent a new chill through Nicole.
He listened to the whoops and barks in an interval between shots.
British Dictionary definitions for whoops an exclamation of surprise, as when a person falls over, or of apology Show More
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 Show More
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 Show More
Word Origin for whoop C14: of imitative origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for whoops exclamation of dismay, 1925; see oops .
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v. mid-14c., houpen , partly imitative, partly from Old French houper "to cry out," also imitative. It is attested as an interjection from at least mid-15c. The noun is recorded from c.1600. Extended form whoopee is attested from 1845, originally American English; whoopee cushion is attested from 1960. Phrase whoop it up "create a disturbance" is recorded from 1884. Expression whoop-de-do is recorded from 1929. Whooping cough (1739) is now the prevalent spelling of hooping cough ; whooping crane is recorded from 1791.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
The paroxysmal gasp characteristic of whooping cough. Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
