whoop

1 of 2

verb

ˈhüp  ˈhu̇p  ˈ(h)wüp  ˈ(h)wu̇p 

whooped; whooping; whoops

intransitive verb

1

: to utter a whoop in expression of eagerness, enthusiasm, or enjoyment : shout

2

: to utter the cry or call of an animal (such as an owl or gibbon)

3

: to make the characteristic whoop of whooping cough

4

a

: to go or pass with a loud noise

b

: to be rushed through by acclamation or with noisy support

the bill whooped through both houses

transitive verb

1

a

: to utter or express with a whoop

b

: to urge, drive, or cheer on with a whoop

2

: to agitate in behalf of

3

: raise, boost

whoop up the price

whoop

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a loud yell expressive of eagerness, exuberance, or jubilation

—often used interjectionally

b

: a shout of hunters or of people in battle or pursuit

2

: the loud cry or call of an animal (such as an owl, whooping crane, or gibbon) that resembles the sound of the word whoop

3

: the crowing intake of breath following a paroxysm in whooping cough

4

: a minimum amount or degree : the least bit

not worth a whoop

Phrases

whoop it up

1

: to celebrate riotously : carouse

2

: to stir up enthusiasm

Synonyms

Noun

• shout
• howl
• cry
• scream

Examples of whoop in a Sentence

Verb

The children whooped with joy at the sight of all the presents.

Noun

let out a whoop of joy

he acts so rudely that I doubt he gives a whoop about other people's feelings

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The film earned a hugely enthusiastic seven-minute standing ovation and, in perhaps a Cannes first, saw Skarsgard hug a man dressed in a gimp mask as the audience whooped and cheered. —Ellise Shafer, Variety, 18 May 2025

But both agree that people were whooping it up during the screening. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 May 2025

Noun

The dirt track is flat in parts but also has motocross-style whoops (a series of short hills) and rhythm sections (jumps of varying sizes and spacing) designed to shake up the race. —William Liang, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025

Her birthday surprise is, in fact, a life-sized dinosaur statue, which Ellie scales with a whoop. —EW.com, 19 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English whopen, houpen, from Anglo-French huper, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing whoop

• big whoop
• no big whoop
• war whoop
• whoop-de-do
• whoop-de-doo

Rhymes for whoop

• coop
• coupe
• croup
• droop
• drupe
• dupe
• group
• hoop
• loop
• lupe
• oop
• poop

Kids Definition

whoop

1 of 2 verb

ˈhüp  ˈhu̇p 

least frequently for sense 2

ˈhwüp 

or

ˈhwu̇p 

1

: to shout or call loudly and energetically especially in enthusiasm or enjoyment

the children whooped with joy

2

: to make the sound that follows an attack of coughing in whooping cough

whoop

2 of 2 noun

1

: a whooping sound

2

: a loud booming cry of a bird (as an owl or crane)

Medical Definition

whoop

1 of 2 intransitive verb

ˈhüp  ˈhu̇p 

: to make the characteristic whoop of whooping cough

whoop

2 of 2 noun

: the crowing intake of breath following a paroxysm in whooping cough