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

For a few sweet hours this week, South Bay fans of the Con Azucar coffeehouse were whooping it up over a Facebook post that appeared to show Bad Bunny ordering java and sitting on the much-Instagrammed swing at one of their San Jose shops. —Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026

The audience clapped and whooped. —Sara Talpos — Undark, STAT, 3 Feb. 2026

Noun

In a video aired by KXAS-TV, the same man is seen letting out a whoop from atop his horse. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026

At times, the noise of grinding gears can obscure the soprano whoops and wails of the preschoolers. —Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 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

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