What does wow mean?
Wow is an informal English expression of surprise, admiration, or amazement. As an interjection, it often appears as a complete reaction: "Wow, that was incredible!" As a verb, it means to impress or amaze someone, as in a performance that wowed the audience. It can also function as a noun for an extraordinary or impressive person, thing, or moment. The word has become especially common in conversational English, social media, and descriptions of striking sights, remarkable achievements, and entertaining performances. Although it may sound less suitable in formal or highly technical writing, it remains useful for conveying strong positive reactions. Its force comes from its brevity and emotional directness: a single word communicates astonishment or admiration. In phrases such as "wow factor" and "wow moment," it has also become a useful label for qualities that make something memorable or visually impressive.
An expression of surprise, wonder, admiration, or amazement.
"Wow, this garden is beautiful."
Informal and emphatic; often used as a standalone reaction.
To cause someone to feel great surprise or admiration; to amaze or impress.
"The acrobatic performance wowed the crowd."
Common in informal speech and writing; usually transitive, though it can also occur intransitively in constructions such as "the audience wowed."
Something or someone that is impressive, amazing, or extraordinary.
"The finale was an absolute wow."
Less frequent than the interjection and verb, but common in informal expressions such as "wow factor" and "wow moment."
The plural is possible but uncommon because the noun sense is relatively rare.
"The exhibition was full of visual wows."
Wow began as a simple cry of astonishment and grew into a modern shorthand for anything spectacularly impressive.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of wow
The interjection wow is attested in English from the early 16th century, probably as an imitative cry expressing astonishment. The noun and verb meanings developed later, in the 19th century, from the established older expression and the idea of something that causes admiration. No widely accepted family of separate cognates is required for this entry.
Related word forms
How wow is actually used
As an interjection and verb, wow is strongly informal and emphatic. It is especially common in spoken English and in informal writing, while the noun is less frequent but useful in expressions such as "a wow moment."
Easily confused with wow
Wow expresses surprise or admiration, whereas woe means sorrow or misfortune.