whoop
woop
/wuːp/
To utter a loud cry of joy, excitement, or triumph.
Distinctly positive and energetic. It is a celebratory shout, often rhythmic or repetitive, associated with victory, parties, or sudden good fortune.
The story behind the word. Dating back to the 14th century, 'whoop' is an imitative word mimicking the breathy, explosive sound of a sudden shout of excitement. It has always been associated with hunting cries and celebratory gatherings.
Word relationships
- cheer: Cheer is a more structured, often verbal shout of support ('Hooray!'), while a whoop is a more raw, non-verbal vocalization of pure excitement.
- holler: Holler is general shouting to get attention, whereas whoop is specifically celebratory or excited.
- groan: A groan is a low, mournful sound of pain or disappointment, the opposite of a joyful whoop.
Commonly confused with
- weep: Weep means to cry tears of sadness, whereas whoop is a cry of joy.
Word family
- whooped (verb (past)): Shouted with joy or excitement.
- whooping (adjective/noun): Making celebratory cries (also in 'whooping cough', referring to the gasping intake of air).
Collocations
- whoop with joy
- whoop of delight
- whoop and holler
- triumphant whoop
Idioms & expressions
- whoop it up (to celebrate noisily and enjoy oneself)
Example sentences
- "They began to whoop and dance around the room when they realized they won." Describing the reaction of lottery winners.
- "The crowd let out a collective whoop as the rock star stepped onto the stage." Describing a crowd at a concert.
Memory hook
Think of the crowd shouting 'Whoop! There it is!' at a high-energy sporting event. Whoop for joy!
When not to use
Do not use to describe cries of terror, deep anger, or physical pain. A whoop is almost always a happy or excited sound.
Fun facts
- The 'Whooping Crane' is named for its loud, single-note trumpet-like call that can be heard for miles across marshes.
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