whoop

[ woop, woop, hwoop, hwoop ]

noun

1. a loud cry or shout, as of excitement or joy.
2. the sound made by a person suffering from whooping cough.

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a loud cry or shout in expressing enthusiasm, excitement, etc.
2. to cry as an owl, crane, or certain other birds.
3. to make the characteristic sound accompanying the deep intake of air following a series of coughs in whooping cough.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter with or as if with a whoop.
2. to whoop to or at.
3. to call, urge, pursue, or drive with whoops:

   to whoop dogs on.

interjection

1. (used as a cry to attract attention from afar, or to show excitement, encouragement, enthusiasm, etc.)

verb phrase

1. Informal. to promote or praise; extol:

   a class reunion where they whoop up the good old days.

whoop

/ wuːp /

verb

1. to utter (speech) with loud cries, as of enthusiasm or excitement
2. med to cough convulsively with a crowing sound made at each inspiration
3. (of certain birds) to utter (a hooting cry)
4. tr to urge on or call with or as if with whoops
5. whoop it up informal.
   1. to indulge in a noisy celebration
   2. to arouse enthusiasm

noun

1. a loud cry, esp one expressing enthusiasm or excitement
2. med the convulsive crowing sound made during a paroxysm of whooping cough
3. not worth a whoop informal.
   worthless

Word History and Origins

Origin of whoop¹

1350–1400; Middle English whopen, Old English hwōpan to threaten; cognate with Gothic hwopan to boast

Word History and Origins

Origin of whoop¹

C14: of imitative origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. not worth a whoop, Informal. to be worthless:

   Their promises aren't worth a whoop.

2. whoop it up, Informal.
   1. to raise a disturbance, as to celebrate noisily:

      They whooped it up after winning the big game.

   2. to stir up enthusiasm, as for an idea or project:

      Every spring they whoop it up for the circus.

Example Sentences

When told he was the first to fire up, Ochoa let out an enthusiastic whoop.

From Los Angeles Times

When told he was the first to fire up, Ochoa let out an enthusiastic whoop.

From Los Angeles Times

As the male lead entered the stage in a new production of “Romeo and Juliet” in London, a single, very loud whoop erupted from the orchestra level.

From New York Times

Blowing a kiss, she added, “Don’t forget to whoop it while you’re in Wisconsin. Have some cheese curds.”

From Los Angeles Times

Young babies may make a distinctive "whoop" or have difficulty breathing after a bout of coughing.

From BBC

Related Words

• boo
• hoot
• howl
• jeer
• shriek
• squawk