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

As whooping cough cases rise in the U.S., a new nasal vaccine developed by Tulane University may hold the key to reducing the spread of the highly contagious respiratory disease.

From Science Daily

As was typically the case, Trump offered no further specifics, but all 50 states mandate not only MMR vaccinations, but shots against polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and chicken pox for all schoolchildren.

From Los Angeles Times

“It would be surprising if they said, “Oh, yeah, you’re right, whoops.’

From Los Angeles Times

She was caught up in her ex’s fake cancer scam, whooped it up too hard for her own good and gagged on camera more times than we care to count too.

From Los Angeles Times

His supporters — many of them men who had hopped from debate to debate like Deadheads — laughed and whooped it up, despite the admonishments of Father Busse and church volunteers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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