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
Sony Pictures has for years kicked off the annual conference and trade show for movie theater owners, where throughout the week Hollywood’s major studios bring out stars and new footage hoping to wow the people putting their films on the big screen. Lindsey Bahr, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026 Sony Pictures has for years kicked off the annual conference and trade show for movie theater owners, where throughout the week Hollywood's major studios bring out stars and new footage hoping to wow the people putting their films on the big screen. ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
The views were what gave this place its wow factor; the south-facing house catches both the sunrise and sunset, and during my stay, the early-morning sky was streaked with candyfloss clouds. Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Apr. 2026 Up the wow factor with a cropped trench that’s dialed up to 11. Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
Inflatable tents really took off in the 2010s, wowing gear fanatics with unique twists like geodesic domes, amphibious camping capabilities, modular camp compounds, and even death-defying high-altitude sleeping platforms. New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2026 Meanwhile, Bernie wowed the CSF team with his spins, leaps and easygoing charm around people. Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Wow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wow. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.

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