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

Much like the bombshells who came before her—Mae West, Jayne Mansfield, even Ms. Piggy—Carpenter dials up the va-va-voom factor but never takes herself too seriously, and has a knack for referencing the past with her own special spin. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 25 June 2025

West Kensington resembles an English mild ale with a little extra va-va-voom – milds are in the 3-4 percent ABV range. —Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025

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

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