wahoo

¹

[ wah-hoo, wah-hoo ]

noun

, plural wa·hoos.

1. any of various American shrubs or small trees, as the winged elm, Ulmus alata, or a linden, Tilia heterophylla.

wahoo

²

[ wah-hoo, wah-hoo ]

noun

, plural wa·hoos.

1. a shrub or small tree, Euonymus atropurpurea, of North America, having finely serrated, elliptical leaves and pendulous capsules that in opening reveal the bright-scarlet arils of the seeds.

wahoo

³

[ wah-hoo, wah-hoo ]

noun

, plural wa·hoos, (especially collectively) wa·hoo.

1. a large, swift mackerel, Acanthocybium solanderi, widespread in warm seas, of a steel blue to greenish blue above and silver below, often leaping from the water and occasionally schooling in great numbers: valued as a food and game fish.

wahoo

⁴

[ wah-hoo ]

interjection

1. (an exclamation used to express joy, excitement, etc.)

wahoo

¹

/ ˈwɑːhuː; wɑːˈhuː /

noun

1. a large fast-moving food and game fish, Acanthocybium solandri, of tropical seas: family Scombridae (mackerels and tunnies)

wahoo

²

/ wɑːˈhuː; ˈwɑːhuː /

noun

1. an elm, Ulmus alata, of SE North America having twigs with winged corky edges Also calledwinged elm

wahoo

³

/ ˈwɑːhuː; wɑːˈhuː /

noun

1. an E North American shrub or small tree, Euonymus atropurpureus, with scarlet capsules and seeds Also calledburning bush

Word History and Origins

Origin of wahoo¹

An Americanism dating back to 1760–70; possibly from Creek vhahwv “walnut”

Origin of wahoo²

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; from Dakota wanhu, equivalent to wan- “arrow” + hu “wood, shaft”

Origin of wahoo³

First recorded in 1905–10; origin uncertain; perhaps from Wahoo, an obsolete spelling for Oahu (Hawaii)

Origin of wahoo⁴

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05; of imitative origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of wahoo¹

of unknown origin

Origin of wahoo²

from Creek ǔhawhu cork elm

Origin of wahoo³

C19: from Dakota wāhu arrowwood

Example Sentences

On the Hawaii trip, she texted that “two little wahoo swim by the oars and play in the swirls.”

From Los Angeles Times

Held in Ocean City, the tournament runs for five days with different fishing categories such as white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, shark, swordfish and dolphin.

From Washington Times

Fishermen go door-to-door selling tuna and wahoo to islanders, while farmers drive through neighborhoods yelling out “Tomatoes! Lemons! Greens!” on a megaphone.

From Washington Times

The daily catch rotates, but often includes Aruban wahoo and tuna and Venezuelan shrimp.

From New York Times

For a delicious wahoo fish dinner and a fun bar scene in Kralendijk, try It Rains Fishes Bar & Restaurant.

From New York Times