informal
: a strikingly sexy, voluptuous, or appealing quality
The actress exudes va-va-voom as she walks through the Sixth Avenue doorway of the Power House Theatre.—
Vicki Hillhouse
Vicki HillhouseHe turns up the volume and the va-va-voom, throws Jay-Z and Lana Del Rey on the soundtrack when jazz bands are playing on the screen, but leaves the basic storyline untouched.—Ross Douthat
Ross DouthatThroughout history, the rich have liked to demonstrate their status by displaying luxury goods that their inferiors are unable to afford. An Old Master can add real va-va-voom to your Manhattan penthouse.—The Economist
The Economist
informal
: strikingly sexy, voluptuous, or appealing
This mascara won't clump or flake, plus it'll give you long, full, va-va-voom lashes.—Ama Kwarteng
Ama KwartengThe heroine of Craft's book is Molly Shaw, a mousy … professor of women's history who secretly writes steamy piratical novels as Sandra St. Claire, and who is persuaded to adopt the va-va-voom guise of her literary alter ego in order to seduce Jake Berenger, a billionaire hotelier.—Rebecca Mead
Rebecca MeadExamples of va-va-voom in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Michelle Lee, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025
This separating, volumizing formula lasts all day, fanning out lashes with a thoughtfully curved brush that follows their natural contours for fullness without over-the-top va-va-voom.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 7 Feb. 2025
This semi-sheer sarong has such a breezy look and feel, with a maxi length and full-leg slit for some tasteful va-va-voom.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 3 Feb. 2025
Victoria’s Secret made its name with a certain va-va-voom approach to sexiness that was seen as too interested in male gaze and out of step with consumers.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 6 Dec. 2024
This moisturizing lipstick uses mimosa, jojoba, and sunflower waxes to deliver lasting hydration, while rich pigments elevate this from a simple lip balm to a va-va-voom makeup essential.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2024
Beyoncé turned the volume to 100 for her brand new GQ cover, rocking several different hairstyles with tons of body and va-va-voom volume, a la the signature look of the Lonestar State.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 10 Sep. 2024
But that bump up in adjusted profits comes in what’s been a very long journey for Victoria’s Secret, which for years epitomized a va-va-voom image of sexiness only to fall out of sync with many customers and the times.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 14 Aug. 2024
Among them were Fellini heroines like Claudia Cardinale; Michelangelo Antonioni’s bewitching muse Monica Vitti; the always elegant Sophia Loren; and Monica Bellucci, still the very definition of va-va-voom.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 30 July 2024
Thomas Adamson, ajc, 4 Mar. 2023
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Noun
Jenner, 27, who skipped the Oscars carpet but rocked an abs-baring Miu Miu beaded gown for the ceremony, slipped into an even more daring Ashi Studio look that had va-va-voom written all over it.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025
This separating, volumizing formula lasts all day, fanning out lashes with a thoughtfully curved brush that follows their natural contours for fullness without over-the-top va-va-voom.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 7 Feb. 2025
This semi-sheer sarong has such a breezy look and feel, with a maxi length and full-leg slit for some tasteful va-va-voom.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 3 Feb. 2025
Victoria’s Secret made its name with a certain va-va-voom approach to sexiness that was seen as too interested in male gaze and out of step with consumers.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 6 Dec. 2024
This moisturizing lipstick uses mimosa, jojoba, and sunflower waxes to deliver lasting hydration, while rich pigments elevate this from a simple lip balm to a va-va-voom makeup essential.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2024
Beyoncé turned the volume to 100 for her brand new GQ cover, rocking several different hairstyles with tons of body and va-va-voom volume, a la the signature look of the Lonestar State.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 10 Sep. 2024
But that bump up in adjusted profits comes in what’s been a very long journey for Victoria’s Secret, which for years epitomized a va-va-voom image of sexiness only to fall out of sync with many customers and the times.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 14 Aug. 2024
Among them were Fellini heroines like Claudia Cardinale; Michelangelo Antonioni’s bewitching muse Monica Vitti; the always elegant Sophia Loren; and Monica Bellucci, still the very definition of va-va-voom.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 30 July 2024
Adjective
The collection crescendoed passionately into the evening with Saab’s bread-and-butter va-va-voom silhouettes.
—Thomas Adamson, ajc, 4 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Va-va-voom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/va-va-voom. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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