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

In these nine half-baths, designers listed on the AD PRO Directory take imaginative leaps, treating each one as a canvas to wow. — Alia Akkam, Architectural Digest, 13 July 2026

Amateur astronomy is a popular hobby in the Bay Area, and there’s plenty happening in our night skies this summer and early fall to illuminate and wow. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 3 July 2026

Noun

This is a great option for neutral hues and calming spaces while still having a wow factor. — Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2026

Whether that's new hardware with some level of wow-factor, or revealing new agentic abilities in Gemini Intelligence, is anyone's guess. — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Verb

Costco’s bakeries never miss a chance to debut a seasonal sweet treat that wows its customers. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2026

Shakira wowed during her halftime performance, wearing a pink and yellow cut-out dress that showcased her fit form. — Sarah Sotoodeh, FOXNews.com, 20 July 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