wow

wow¹

/wow/, Informal.

interj.

1. (an exclamation of surprise, wonder, pleasure, or the like): Wow! Look at that!

v.t.

2. to gain an enthusiastic response from; thrill.

n.

3. an extraordinary success: His act is a real wow.

4. excitement, interest, great pleasure, or the like: a car that will add some wow to your life.

[1890-95; perh. identical with Scots wow! exclamation of surprise or admiration]

wow²

/wow/, n.

1. Audio. a slow wavering of pitch in sound recording or reproducing equipment caused by uneven speed of the turntable or the tape. Cf. flutter (def. 12).

2. Scot. and North Eng. Dial. a howl, wail, bark, whine, or mew.

v.i.

3. Scot. and North Eng. Dial. to howl, wail, bark, whine, or mew.

[1800-10 for defs. 2-3; 1930-35 for def. 1; imit.; the audio term is prob. an independent formation]

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