wow

1 of 4

interjection

used to express strong feeling (such as pleasure or surprise)

wow

2 of 4

noun (1)

: a striking success : hit

wow

3 of 4

verb

wowed; wowing; wows

transitive verb

: to excite to enthusiastic admiration or approval
a performance that wowed the critics

wow

4 of 4

noun (2)

: a distortion in reproduced sound consisting of a slow rise and fall of pitch caused by speed variation in the reproducing system

Examples of wow in a Sentence

Verb Her performance wowed the critics.
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.
Interjection
All the Dodgers have to do is keep winning, stage an occasional giveaway night — wow, look! Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2025 And do your research, but wow, the results are really that good. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 18 June 2025
Noun
If your closet is steering stealthy-chic, then your shoe game should go for more of a wow factor. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 20 June 2025 The dash of color, which changes with the addition of citrus juice, and bright citrus will certainly put the wow in your summer cocktail. Jeff Burkhart, Mercury News, 11 June 2025
Verb
After wowing us with a colorful manicure and pedicure combo, red stiletto nails, and her popular vanilla chai nails, the model is softening things up for summertime. Lena Raab, Glamour, 21 June 2025 In Paris, Miley Cyrus wows in a dazzling blue dress while performing at Spotify's Billionaires Club Series as King Charles attends the third day of the Royal Ascot in England. Grace Harrington, People.com, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for wow

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

imitative

First Known Use

Interjection

1513, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1920, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1924, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1932, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wow was in 1513

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wow. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

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