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

see also:

whoop it up

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

Synonyms of whoop

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

His appearance was a surprise even to his colleagues, who stood up and applauded enthusiastically as the audience whooped and hollered. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026

Around the same time, the committee also met to review an exemption application related to water management at the Grayrocks Dam in Wyoming and its effects on endangered whooping cranes downstream in Nebraska. —Dan Salas, The Conversation, 28 Mar. 2026

Noun

In the rear, it's got 30 inches of rear wheel travel, so it is designed to go over 100 mph and go over 200 to 300 foot whoops. —Morgan Korn, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026

Songs aside, the true reason to pack into the Mojave tent was to watch one of the great guitar heroes skronk and wail throughout, whopping unexpected breaks and whoop-ready vocals with an aplomb that both feels careless and entirely cathartic. —Jeff Miller, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2026

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
• whoop it up

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