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wow
1[ wou ]
/ waʊ /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
interjection
(an exclamation of surprise, wonder, pleasure, or the like): Wow! Look at that!
verb (used with object)
to gain an enthusiastic response from; thrill.
noun
an extraordinary success: His act is a real wow.
excitement, interest, great pleasure, or the like: a car that will add some wow to your life.
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The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
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Origin of wow
11890–95; perhaps identical with Scots wow! exclamation of surprise or admiration
Words nearby wow
Other definitions for wow (2 of 2)
wow2
[ wou ]
/ waʊ /
noun
Audio. a slow wavering of pitch in sound recording or reproducing equipment caused by uneven speed of the turntable or the tape.Compare flutter (def. 12).
Scot. and North England Dialect. a howl, wail, bark, whine, or mew.
verb (used without object)
Scot. and North England Dialect. to howl, wail, bark, whine, or mew.
Origin of wow
21800–10 for defs. 2, 3; 1930–35 for def. 1; imitative; the audio term is probably an independent formation
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use wow in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for wow (1 of 3)
wow1
/ (waʊ) /
interjection
an exclamation of admiration, amazement, etc
noun
slang a person or thing that is amazingly successful, attractive, etc
verb
(tr) slang to arouse great enthusiasm in
Word Origin for wow
C16: originally Scottish, expressive of surprise, amazement, etc
British Dictionary definitions for wow (2 of 3)
wow2
/ (waʊ, wəʊ) /
noun
a slow variation or distortion in pitch that occurs at very low audio frequencies in sound-reproducing systems, such as a record player, usually due to variation in speed of the turntable, etcSee also flutter (def. 14)
Word Origin for wow
C20: of imitative origin
British Dictionary definitions for wow (3 of 3)
WOW
abbreviation for
waiting on weather: used esp in the oil industry
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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