wow

1 of 4

interjection

Synonyms of wownext
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
But wow, how pioneering that was, a hundred years ago. Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026 Set the scene Beyond the obviously plum location—both uptown and downtown’s attractions and entertainment are within easy striking distance—the stunning exterior will wow you. Paul Oswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
Madonna carries her wow factor into every room. Christina Perrier, InStyle, 4 Feb. 2026 Even small areas like a powder room can serve as a canvas for playful or dramatic wall treatments, adding a wow factor without overwhelming the budget, while wallpapering only an accent wall makes this look accessible and affordable. Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
Margot Robbie wowed on the red carpet for the January 28 Los Angeles premiere of her latest film, Wuthering Heights. Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026 Lobotka dismantled it and wowed him. James Horncastle, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026 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 6 Feb. 2026.

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