welp

[welp]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

interjection

Nonstandard.

an informal variant of well used to indicate disappointment, resignation, or acceptance at the beginning of an utterance.
Welp, this might not work out for us after all.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of welp¹

First recorded in 1945–50; form of well as an isolated or emphatic utterance, with an excrescent p representing closing of the lips, creating an unreleased labial stop; compare the parallel use of p in nope ( def. ) and yup ( def. ).

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

I tried to inform my friend of the rage-inducing incident and started typing, “even just tapping on the imag”—welp, I didn’t get to finish that word, much less the phrase.

From Slate

“When I got back here, I was like “Welp, most of my friends are gone, or at least not in the area,” says Hermosa, who works from home.

From Los Angeles Times

To put it bluntly: If Harris was considered too Black to be our first Black female president, then, welp!

From Slate

“Welp, it was fun during the pandemic. Cherish those memories, I guess🤷🏾‍♂️” added WGN reporter Glenn Marshall Jr.

From Los Angeles Times

“I don’t have tickets yet, but I got the hotel, flight, and I thought ‘Welp, if I lock into something, I’ll go,’” Bray said.

From Seattle Times

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When To Use

What does welp mean?

Welp, an alternative pronunciation of well, and is an interjection typically used at the beginning of a sentence to express resignation or disappointment.

welly Wels

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