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Glite Dictionary
phew

phew

30 8.1
A short sound people make when they feel relieved, tired, or disgusted
  • interjection
  • /fju/
  • Informal
translation icon : uf
  • Yeah, just like, oh, Phew, we don't have to do that.
  • Phew, said
  • phew, OK
  • Oh, phew

And so to have this familiar, safe person I thought was familiar and safe coming back into my life felt like, Phew, you know?

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Examples

  • Phew, the smell!" Simon waved his hand in front of his nose.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • "Or we'll just have to put Jesse here onto it." "Phew," said Ray, wiping his brow and grinning.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • It's gotten better over the last months, but phew, it still gives me anxiety.

    Blog text (17)

  • If I don't see the TV truck in front of my office, phew!

    Academic text (2005)

  • "Phew," Molly sighs as she hands him the receiver to hang up.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • "My goodness," said the first courtier; "Snit," said the second; "Phew," said the third.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Oh, this will do it... phew, I'm through, back to killing mindless piles of enemies.

    Blog text (10)

  • "Phew," Pancho said, "this bird turns like a supertanker: slow and ugly." "You're not flying a little flitter now," Dan said.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Phew, that was a close call!

  • After finishing the race, she sighed, "Phew, I made it just in time!"

Synonyms

ah
vsphew
∞ 1.0

A short sound people make to show surprise, relief, or pleasure

is narrower mainly for relief tiredness or unpleasant reaction
aaah
vsphew
  • Informal
34 8.4

A sound people make when they suddenly understand or feel pleased

is shorter and fits quick relief or tired reaction instead
aaaah
vsphew
  • Informal
30 7.5

A short loud sound people make to show strong feeling, like fear or surprise

is milder and mainly signals relief, tiredness, or reaction to unpleasantness
aaahh
vsphew
  • Informal
4 9.1

A soft sound you make when something feels good or brings relief

is used instead for brief relief, tiredness, or strong unpleasant reaction
haaa
vsphew
  • Informal
1 9.9

A long quiet sound made when you feel relieved or tired

is shorter and used for quick relief or reaction to overwhelm
to whew
vsphew
  • Informal
9.1

To make a short sound by breathing out to show relief, surprise, or tiredness

is a general short relief or tiredness exclamation rather than a sharp exhale

How Relieved

hallelujah
  • Informal
8 5.5
phew
  • Informal
30 8.1
ah
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

phew main

Etymology

Phew is a sound word that copies the noise of a quick breath or small puff. A helpful way to remember it is to picture that short breath you make after something difficult or disgusting, which is why phew shows 'relief' or a strong reaction to something unpleasant.