rhizoverbBeta
DictionarywhoaSurprise or alarm
interjection

whoa

WOH/wəʊ/

Calls for someone to stop or slow down.

Whoa, stop that hand truck before the boxes fall toward me!

An older woman urgently raises an open palm to stop a man pushing a hand truck whose tall stack of boxes is tipping toward her.
Etymology
whoaEnglishcry for attention or silence

The attention-getting cry ho underlies whoa as a command to stop a horse. That stopping force carries over to people; the later expression of surprise became popular in place of wow.

In context

Wolfgang Riebe Inspiring The World3:00
right now I'm going to tell you where you stop you stopped in Cape Town whoa how did I know that
Abracadabra Easy Magic Tricks 14 of 14 (City Prediction): TV Magician Wolfgang Riebe

More examples

  • Whoa, slow down so I can take notes.
  • Whoa, let's check the price before we agree.
  • Whoa, stop pushing the cart toward the stairs!

Similar words

stop
A direct command to end an action immediately.
halt
A firmer, more formal command to stop moving.