phew
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
Attested since the early 17th century. An onomatopoeia for rapid exhalation, as one may make when a trying situation is over, or in order to get rid of an unpleasant odour. Compare Scots feuch, Spanish fu, Czech fuj, and many more such forms.
Pronunciation edit
Interjection edit
phew
- Used to express relief of tension, fatigue, or surprise.
- Phew, that took a long time to cook!
- Used to show disgust.
- Phew, it stinks in here!
Synonyms edit
- (expressing relief of tension): whew
- (expressing disgust): See Thesaurus:yuck
Translations edit
Used to show relief, fatigue, or surprise
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Used to show disgust
See also edit
Khasi edit
Etymology edit
From Proto-Khasian *pʰəw. Compare Pnar phaw, Lyngngam phu.
Pronunciation edit
Numeral edit
phew
References edit
- Singh, U Nissor (1906) Khasi-English dictionary[1], Shillong: Eastern Bengal and Assam Secretariat Press, page 156. Searchable online at SEAlang.net.