😒 Mild disgust 😒 A dismissive sound 😒 To dismiss

phoo

1 9.9

A short sound showing dislike or disbelief

noun
/fuː/

: ¡uf!

With a loud phoo, she dismissed the suggestion as ridiculous.

Examples

The audience responded with a collective phoo to the unpopular announcement.
I just phoo at the idea of going there.
He gave a quick phoo when he heard the unbelievable story.
She let out a phoo of disbelief.
When he told me his plan, I couldn't help but exclaim, 'Phoo! That's ridiculous!'
She waved her hand dismissively and said, 'Phoo! I don't believe that for a second.'
After hearing his excuse, all she could do was let out a frustrated, 'Phoo!'

Synonyms

bah

vsphoo

Informal

40 9.3

A short sound people make to show they feel annoyed or do not believe something

is about general dismissal rather than chiefly annoyance

pfft

vsphoo

Informal

19 9.9

A short sound showing disbelief or lack of interest

is broader, used as an exclamation not only a brief sound

hah

vsphoo

Informal

18 8.9

A quick sound that shows scorn or disbelief

is broader and can be less sharp and more dismissive

to pooh

vsphoo

Informal

9 9.8

To show mild dislike by making a short sound or gesture

is stronger and more contemptuous rather than mild dismissal

bleh

vsphoo

Informal

8 9.7

A short sound to show dislike or boredom

is more sharply contemptuous or dismissive rather than general dislike

buh

vsphoo

Offensive

6 9.9

A quick sound you make to show you do not like or take someone seriously

is used more generally, not only directed at a person

pish

vsphoo

Archaic

4 9.9

An old exclamation showing disbelief or contempt

is the modern everyday form rather than old fashioned usage

psh

vsphoo

Informal

3 9.9

A short sound showing annoyance or disbelief

is the broader exclamation used beyond quick interjections

to tut

vsphoo

3 9.6

Make a short, quiet sound with the tongue to show disapproval

is the broader dismissive exclamation not tied to tongue gesture

pshaw

vsphoo

Archaic

1 9.9

A short sound showing you do not believe or respect something

is the neutral, current version instead of old fashioned speech

pah

vsphoo

Informal

1 9.9

A short sound used to show disgust, disbelief, or dismissal

is broader and not necessarily sharp in emotional tone

bup

vsphoo

Slang

1 9.9

A short sound showing disbelief or refusal

is used more generally, not limited to informal speech

to humph

vsphoo

Informal

1 8.9

To make a short low sound to show disapproval or doubt

is the wide exclamation form rather than just a low sound

foh

vsphoo

Slang

1 9.9

A short sound to show disbelief or dislike

is the neutral short exclamation without marked informality

harrumph

vsphoo

Archaic

1 9.9

A short gruff sound that shows annoyance or disapproval

is more direct and can show stronger contempt or dismissal

poh

vsphoo

Archaic

9.9

A short word people say to show they do not believe or respect something

is used more generally today rather than being old fashioned

to pffft

vsphoo

Informal

9.9

To make a short sound to show disbelief or no interest

is used more generally as an exclamation rather than a specific sound

feh

vsphoo

Informal

9.9

A short sound used to show dislike and to dismiss an idea or person

is used more generally for contempt without added disgust

to humpf

vsphoo

Informal

9.9

To make a short sound to show annoyance or doubt

is the general exclamation not limited to low vocal sounds

to hmph

vsphoo

Informal

9.9

To make a short sound to show annoyance or doubt

is used more broadly as a verbal exclamation not only low sounds

How Dismissive

to snort

52 3.7

bah

Informal

8 9.8

phoo

1 9.9

pfft

Informal

5 9.9

ugh

Informal

282 7.9

Surface Forms

phoo singular

phoos plural

Etymology

Phoo as a noun is simply the short blown sound people make to show contempt or disbelief, like the familiar sound 'pfft' and the word puff meaning 'to blow'. So a phoo is a small noise that shows you dismiss or do not believe something.