va-va-voom

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noun

ˌvä-ˌvä-ˈvüm 

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

He 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

Throughout 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

va-va-voom

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adjective

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

The 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

Examples of va-va-voom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Kaia’s glossy mane echoed the va-va-voom blow dries her mom, Cindy Crawford, became synonymous with during her runway reign 25 years ago. —Hannah Coates, Vogue, 11 Feb. 2024

Gerber’s glossy mane echoed the va-va-voom blow dries her mom, Cindy Crawford, became synonymous with during her runway reign 25 years ago. —Hannah Coates, Glamour, 9 Feb. 2024

The tattoo-chic designs are instantly recognizable, and the models that Christian Audigier’s team lined up were more shapely than skeletal women at some shows, lending the line some va-va-voom! —Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024

Even regular rooms have been given some va-va-voom with bright, clashing colors. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2024

The actor's body-skimming, strapless gown was lended a little (a lot) of extra va-va-voom with a voluminous floral shawl that attached to a dramatic cape. —Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 8 Jan. 2024

The formula is very volumizing — minimalists may find it too va-va-voom for everyday wear. —Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 7 Jan. 2024

An everyday lob can go from basic to va-va-voom with a single swoop. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2023

Then consider the upcoming season’s standout ready-to-wear trends: the va-va-voom hourglass silhouette, power dressing, utilitarian shapes and the anarchic punk. —Laura Hawkins, Vogue, 19 July 2023

Adjective

The collection crescendoed passionately into the evening with Saab’s bread-and-butter va-va-voom silhouettes. —Thomas Adamson, ajc, 4 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1962, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1955, in the meaning defined above