phew

interjection

 a voiceless bilabial fricative usually followed by a voiceless  (y)ü,
 or  sound ;
often read as
ˈf(y)ü How to pronounce phew (audio)
1
used to express relief or fatigue
2
used to express disgust at or as if at an unpleasant odor

Word History

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of phew was in 1604

Dictionary Entries Near phew

Cite this Entry

“Phew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phew. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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