whoosh

1 of 2

noun

ˈ(h)wüsh  ˈ(h)wu̇sh 

: a swift or explosive rush

also : the sound created by such a rush

—often used interjectionally

whoosh

2 of 2

verb

whooshed; whooshing; whooshes

intransitive verb

: to rush past or move explosively

cars whooshing along the expressway

transitive verb

: to move (a person or thing) with or as if with a whoosh

Examples of whoosh in a Sentence

Verb

Cars whooshed along the highway.

Water whooshed down the pipe.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This time, Ariana announces with a whoosh of her ponytail that America has voted on who the three bombshells must recouple with. —Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 18 June 2025

Last winter, at Chicago’s Greek Islands (200 S. Halsted St.), our Greektown dinner started with a bang — more accurately, a whoosh. —David Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025

Verb

Apparently, the line is bland but also profound and ironic, and all of that whooshes over my head, too, but that’s Saturday. —Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 19 July 2025

Fighter jets whooshed by and a stealth bomber streaked through the air during Friday’s annual White House Fourth of July picnic. —Andrew J. Campa follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

imitative

First Known Use

Noun

1856, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1909, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for whoosh

• douche
• touche
• barouche
• cartouche

Kids Definition

whoosh

1 of 2 noun

ˈhwüsh  ˈwüsh 

ˈhwu̇sh,

wu̇sh

: a swift or explosive rush

also : the sound created by such a rush

whoosh

2 of 2 verb

: to pass or move along with a whoosh

cars whooshing along the highway