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

The resurgence of whooping cough is happening as childhood vaccination coverage slips below levels needed for community protection in much of the country. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 22 Dec. 2025

In late 2024, cases of whooping cough in Louisiana began to climb, eventually growing to 387 cases, the worst outbreak of whooping cough in the state in 35 years. —Rosemary Westwood, NPR, 25 Nov. 2025

Noun

Raised 366 feet in the air, with the Sphere’s 1.2 million LED pucks coordinated to transform it into a ginormous orange ping-pong ball, Chalamet yells and whoops. —Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025

The police come to whisk Nile away in handcuffs as people in the press conference whoop. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Nov. 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