whoops

American

[hwoops, hwoops, woops, woops] / ʰwʊps, ʰwups, wʊps, wups /

Sometimes woops

interjection

(used to express surprise, mild embarrassment, etc., or as a casual apology.)

whoops British

/ wʊps /

interjection

an exclamation of surprise, as when a person falls over, or of apology

"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

Etymology

Origin of whoops

whoop + -s as in oops

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After each one emerged from the water, there were whoops and songs of joy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025

While there were certainly whoops of joy when Mark Joseph Stern and Dahlia Lithwick reunited in this week’s Plus members-only episode, there was not much else to celebrate.

From Slate • Sep. 6, 2025

The result was greeted by whoops and cheers, with Polanski promising in his victory speech to "work every single day to grow this party" and paying tribute to his defeated rivals.

From BBC • Sep. 2, 2025

Joshua Meyrowitz stepped up to the stage at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood and announced himself to the crowd as “your fellow autistic,” spurring whoops and applause.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 22, 2024

Helen Jean squealed and laughed because Leroy’s driving threw them hard against each other; Harley had his arms around her neck, bellowing out war whoops and laughs.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023