whoa
∞
7.2
- interjection
- /woʊə/
- Informal
:
vaya
- Whoa, that roller coaster was faster than I expected!
And I was just like, whoa, that is scary.
- And I was just like, whoa, that is scary.
- And when my wife told me that, I was like, whoa, that is deep.
- And then I was like, whoa, OK, I feel weird, guys.
- And I was like, whoa, how did that happen?
- Then I saw a puff of smoke and I said whoa, whoa.
- Like when I start being like, oh, whoa, OK, OK, Amy.
Examples
-
And when my wife told me that, I was like, whoa, that is deep.
-
And then I was like, whoa, what happened there?
-
And I just thought, whoa, I like that.
-
And I just thought, whoa, like, who knew that?
-
And it was like, oh, whoa, I get it.
-
Whoa, whoa, wait a second... what are we talking about here?
-
And I was just like, whoa, that is scary.
-
Pulled back the foliage and whoa, look at this.
-
"Little Johnny hollered, 'Whoa!' just in time."
Fiction book (1993) -
If you listen closely, you can hear him echo reading, laughing, saying things like, "ahhhh," "whoa!", and "cool!"
Academic text (2013)
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Show a sudden feeling like surprise or understanding
∞
3.6
A short informal call to get someone's attention, greet, or show feelings such as surprise and annoyance
∞
8.0
A short sound that shows you do not understand or are surprised
∞
1.0
A short sound people make to show surprise, relief, or pleasure
∞
7.2
A short sound people make to show surprise or pleasure
∞
1.0
A short word people say to show surprise or admiration
707
9.2
A loud shout people make to show excitement or surprise
359
9.9
A shout people make to show excitement or surprise
321
6.6
A short exclamation people use to show surprise or strong feeling
90
8.9
A short cry to show surprise, confusion, disbelief, or casual acceptance
85
7.0
A short sound people make to show relief, surprise, or tiredness
61
9.9
A short informal word people say to show surprise or ask someone to repeat
59
8.8
A short cry people make when they feel sudden pain, fear, or surprise
36
9.4
A short sound people say to show surprise or admiration
26
9.9
A strong phrase people say when they are very surprised or shocked
24
7.9
A short cry people make when they feel sudden pain or shock
22
9.8
A short word people say to show surprise, admiration, or annoyance
16
8.3
A short sound people say to show surprise or excitement
14
9.9
A short cry showing surprise or excitement
13
7.4
Shows surprise or mild doubt about what someone just said
13
9.9
A short cry said to show surprise, excitement, or sudden pain
7
9.1
A short sound people make when they feel a quick pain
3
8.4
A short sound people make when they suddenly understand something
3
9.9
A short sound people make to show surprise or admiration
3
9.6
To say when you are very surprised or shocked
2
9.9
A short shout showing sudden surprise or strong impact
2
9.9
A short cry showing surprise or sudden understanding
2
7.0
To show surprise, shock or disbelief in a mild, polite way
1
8.3
A short cry people use to tell someone to stop or slow down
1
9.9
A short shout people make when they feel surprised, relieved, or overwhelmed
1
8.4
A short laugh that shows surprise or amusement
1
9.9
A short shout showing surprise or asking for attention
A short informal way people use to show surprise, confusion, or disbelief
To say or write a short exclamation to show surprise
A short phrase people say when they feel surprised or do not believe something
A loud shout to show joy or excitement
A short word people say to show playful surprise or mild shock
How Loud
- Informal
582
3.0
- Informal
2
9.9
- Informal
∞
3.6
- Informal
∞
7.2
- Informal
8
9.9
Surface Forms
Etymology
Whoa began as a simple rider's shout used to make a horse stop — imagine pulling the reins and saying 'stop'. That's why we now use whoa both for surprise and to tell someone or something to stop suddenly.