wah-wah

or wa-wa

[ wah-wah ]

adjective

1. producing a muted, bawling sound like that of a trumpet with the hand moved momentarily over the bell:

   a wah-wah effect on a synthesizer; a guitar with a wah-wah pedal.

noun

1. a sound or effect like the muted sound of a trumpet, especially in music.
2. an electronic device or attachment to produce such a sound, often used with an electric guitar.

wah-wah

/ ˈwɑːˌwɑː /

noun

1. the sound made by a trumpet, cornet, etc, when the bell is alternately covered and uncovered: much used in jazz
2. an electronic attachment for an electric guitar, etc, that simulates this effect

Word History and Origins

Origin of wah-wah¹

First recorded in 1925–30; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of wah-wah¹

C20: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Bell-like electric pianos and wah-wah bass sounds combined with whispers and chants about brown rice all over a deep repetitive groove.

From New York Times

The set contained hits and nothing but: “Witchy Woman” into “Peaceful Easy Feeling” into “Tequila Sunrise” into “In the City,” the last with room for Walsh to take both a slide-guitar solo and a wah-wah solo.

From Los Angeles Times

Richard E. Grant’s formative years in 1960s Swaziland provide the backdrop for the affecting ‘Wah-Wah.’

From Los Angeles Times

His past diaries produced two fun books about his day job: “With Nails: The Film Diaries of Richard E. Grant,” which takes its name from his breakout role in “Withnail and I”; and “The Wah Wah Diaries,” about directing an autobiographical movie, “Wah-Wah.”

From Los Angeles Times

Tina transforms Allen Toussaint’s relaxed New Orleans funk number “Viva La Money” into a gleaming glitterball, turning the rhythms toward disco through use of clavinet and wah-wah guitars.

From Los Angeles Times