whoop

views updated May 21 2018

whoop / (h)woōp; hoōp/ • n. a loud cry of joy or excitement. ∎  a hooting cry or sound: the whoop of fast-approaching sirens. ∎  a long rasping indrawn breath, typically of someone with whooping cough.• v. [intr.] give or make a whoop: all at once they were whooping with laughter.PHRASES: not give (or care) a whoop inf., dated be totally indifferent.whoop it up inf. enjoy oneself or celebrate in a noisy way. ∎  create or stir up excitement or enthusiasm.

whoop

views updated May 18 2018

whoop shout, hollo XIV. of imit. orig.
So sb. XVI. Hence whoopee excl. accompanying riotous enjoyment. XIX (orig. U.S.). whooper whistling swan XVII. whooping-cough, cough accompanied by a sound like ‘whoop’. XVIII.

whoop

views updated May 18 2018

whoop (hoop) n. see whooping cough.

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