interjection / verb / noun

wow

WOW/waʊ/

Great surprise or admiration.

Wow, that flowering plant looks spectacular in full bloom!

A young woman reacts with delighted amazement to a spectacular flowering plant, leaning back slightly with widened eyes, an open mouth, and raised hands.

Etymology

Recorded in Scottish use as a natural expression of amazement, this interjection expresses the reaction itself rather than drawing its meaning from an older descriptive word.

In context

Brandon Clack TV47:32

Wow. >> And that funeral was 5 years ago. Wow. >> Yeah. >> I'm just now starting to realize the impact of it, how it shaped my theology.

JJ Hairston & Trina Hairston on Parenting, Pastoring, and Protecting Your Family | Tent Talk Ep 1

More examples

The singer wowed the audience with her final song.
Wow, you finished the whole puzzle already!
His entrance drew a wow from the crowd.

Forms

wow · wows · wowed · wowing

Similar words

amaze: Names the effect without the exclamation.
impress: Can involve respect without strong surprise.