Wow Meaning
/waʊ/Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
intjAn indication of excitement, surprise, astonishment, or pleasure.
intjAn expression of amazement, awe, or admiration.
Sentence Examples
Wow, it's swarming with tourists!
Wow, you're dressed to kill.
Wow, we're finally in Paris. Where should we visit first?
CEFR Practice Quiz
The magician's incredible trick will ____ the entire audience and leave them speechless.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
____, that was an absolutely amazing performance by the young musician tonight.
Word Origin & History
Attested since the 16th century; borrowed from Scots wow; ultimately a natural exclamation.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Out on thir wanderand spiritis, wow! thow cryis."
— 1513, Gavin Douglas, Virgil Æneid (translation) vi. Prol. 19:
"If all of us can remember how great it felt to be wowed, why don't we make it a habit to do it more often for others? People remember you when you wow them, so to differentiate yourself with your clients and customers, think of doing something that would make them remember you."
— 2015, Joe Sweeney, Mike Yorkey, Moving the Needle, John Wiley & Sons, →ISBN, page 200:
"We have the worst of both worlds: the royal family gives us nothing, and we in turn legitimise it, give it meaning and audience and pay, through subsidies and tax exemptions, for its ability to wow us."
— 2023 May 8, Nesrine Malik, “The coronation pulled a screen across a desperate, failing nation – just as intended”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
"‘And say, Jimmy, wait till you see me in my new outfit...It’s a wow, kid.’"
— 1932, Delos W. Lovelace, King Kong, published 1965, page 144:
"‘Jesus suffering fuck,’ said Adrian. ‘It’s not half a thought.’
‘Face it, it’s a wow.’"
— 1991 September, Stephen Fry, chapter 1, in The Liar, London: Heinemann, →ISBN, section I, page 19:
Explore More A1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The magician's incredible trick will ____ the entire audience and leave them speechless.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
____, that was an absolutely amazing performance by the young musician tonight.