English

Interjection

whew

1. An expressive sound made indicating the release of one's inner tension; the release of breath; an expression of relief.

   (from strenuous labour) Whew! That box weighs a ton!

   (from intense concern) Whew! Thank goodness youʼre safe! I thought something terrible had happened to you!

   (from fear of being seen) Whew! That cop didnʼt see me! That was a close call!

2. An expression of amazement or surprise.
   • 1981, P. L. Travers, Mary Poppins, revised edition, chapter 1,

     "...Now I must be off. Whew, it's as cold as the North Pole. Which way is the wind blowing?"

Synonyms

• (expressing relief of tension): phew
• (expressing surprise): wow

Related terms

• whoa
• wow

Translations

Verb

whew ‎(third-person singular simple present whews, present participle whewing, simple past and past participle whewed)

1. (Britain, Scotland, dialect) To whistle with a shrill pipe, like a plover.