whew

English

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /hwjuː/, /fjuː/, /ʍĭ̥ŭ̥/ [very short and unvoiced]
  • Audio (GA)(file)

Etymology 1

Interjection

whew

  1. An expressive sound made indicating the release of one's inner tension; the release of breath; an expression of relief.
    (from strenuous labour) Whew! That box weighs a ton!
    (from intense concern) Whew! Thank goodness youʼre safe! I thought something terrible had happened to you!
    (from fear of being seen) Whew! That cop didnʼt see me! That was a close call!
  2. An expression of amazement or surprise.
    • 1981, P. L. Travers, Mary Poppins, revised edition, chapter 1,
      "...Now I must be off. Whew, it's as cold as the North Pole. Which way is the wind blowing?"
Synonyms
  • (expressing relief of tension): phew
  • (expressing surprise): wow
Translations
The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout#Translations.
Translations to be checked

Verb

whew (third-person singular simple present whews, present participle whewing, simple past and past participle whewed)

  1. (Britain, Scotland, dialectal) To whistle with a shrill pipe, like a plover.

Etymology 2

Verb

whew (third-person singular simple present whews, present participle whewing, simple past and past participle whewed)

  1. (intransitive, Britain, dialectal) To bustle about.
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