wow

1 of 4

interjection

ˈwau̇ 

—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

Interjection

Go for a classic Kendra shape like these Lee Luxe Gold Drop earrings with new, eye-catching green crystals sure to wow. — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026

Others will wow not only cinephiles but the mainstream voters in the Academy. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 3 Nov. 2026

Noun

Marotta serves as chef de cuisine for Epcot Festivals, and his team brings the wow from one end of the culinary spectrum to the other. — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026

Even without the French tips, her fingers often have a wow effect. — Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Sep. 2026

Verb

Finish off Friendsgiving by wowing guests with a sweet treat from a box of chocolates. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026

But those original stories have endured in part because there’s always a new generation arriving to be wowed by them, and there’s no reason that the same principle can’t apply to the reimaginings, too. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 Nov. 2026

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

Rhymes for wow

• bao
• bough
• brow
• chow
• ciao
• clow
• cow
• dao
• dow
• frau
• hao
• hau