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

Examples of va-va-voom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The actress brought the va-va-voom in this floral, orange maxi dress at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 12th Annual Oscar party in 2004. Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026 The instantly volumizing tubing formula wraps each lash for va-va-voom length without smudging, melting, or clumping. Lily Wohlner, Allure, 28 Mar. 2026 Raquel Welch brought her signature va-va-voom and fashion-forward style to the Oscars, with low necklines, high slits, and daring silhouettes, during a time when the ceremony dress code was much more (literally) buttoned-up. Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026 The dress did look out of place in today’s sartorial context as a remnant of a va-va-voom era of fashion that has, for better or for worse, expired. José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 2 Feb. 2026 As a sweetener, the French leader threw in a little extra va-va-voom at the end. Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of va-va-voom was in 1962

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Va-va-voom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/va-va-voom. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster