whoosh

[ woosh, woosh, hwoosh, hwoosh ]

noun

1. a loud, rushing noise, as of air or water:

   a great whoosh as the door opened.

verb (used without object)

1. to move swiftly with a gushing or hissing noise:

   gusts of wind whooshing through the trees.

verb (used with object)

1. to move (an object, a person, etc.) with a whooshing motion or sound:

   The storm whooshed the waves over the road.

whoosh

/ wʊʃ /

noun

1. a hissing or rushing sound
2. a rush of emotion

   a whoosh of happiness

verb

1. intr to make or move with a hissing or rushing sound

Word History and Origins

Origin of whoosh¹

First recorded in 1840–50; imitative

Example Sentences

I was in full triangle pose with nothing but blue sky in all directions and the loud whooshing wind.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s common for tires to blow out in a fire, with pressure building until the air whooshes out with a loud pop.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, he’s in a furnished apartment listening to the soft whooshing sound of the air conditioner.

From Los Angeles Times

"And then, just all of a sudden, there was just a really loud bang and lots of whooshing air, like the door burst open," a flight attendant said.

From BBC

It was more of the same when the race was resumed the next day, and Jones was whooshing along with a 54-second lead, just short of a lap, with only four laps left.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• circle
• climb
• cross
• drift
• float
• flutter
• glide
• operate
• pilot
• reach
• rush
• sail
• shoot
• speed
• swoop
• take off
• travel