Whoo

Part of speech: interjection

Definitions

1. An exclamation expressing excitement, joy, or approval; a sound imitating an owl's call; a playful or informal interjection used to grab attention or convey enthusiasm
2. A vocalization used to indicate happiness or celebration; an imitation of a bird's hooting noise; a casual shout to express energy or fun
3. An utterance made to show delight or cheer; a mimicry of an owl's characteristic hoot; a spirited cry used in informal contexts to signal excitement

Etymology: "Whoo" is not built from older English parts. It is a written shout, an attempt to spell the sound of an open-mouthed cry of excitement. Interjections like this are usually imitative, which is why their spellings vary so widely, and "whoo" sits in a family of similar spellings such as "hoo" and "woo." Its close relative "whoop" is likely an imitative cry too, possibly connected to the Old French "houper," a call used in hunting. The two spellings overlap in use, and "whoo" is often the more informal and emphatic form, stretched out to show enthusiasm.

Synonyms: wow, whoa