Whoa’ and ‘whoah’ are two common spellings for this interjection. But is there an official way to spell it? And if so, what is it? What does the word mean? That’s what we’ll cover in this article. In short, the correct spelling for the word is ‘whoa.’ ‘Whoah’ is a common misspelling. It’s an interjection used to express surprise, among other things. Table of Contents What Does ‘Whoa’ Mean? How to Use It Examples of ‘Whoa’ in Use Trick to Remember the Difference Concluding Thoughts on ‘Whoa’ What Does ‘Whoa’ Mean? The word is an interjection mainly used orally and in informal settings. It expresses surprise, amazement, and other highly positive emotions. It’s also sometimes used to express disgust or shock. It’s a little like saying, “Really?” or “Seriously?”. The spellings’ whoa’ and ‘whoah’ are often confused, and even sometimes ‘woah.
The only correct spelling
Since the word has mainly been used orally since the 1800s, it’s challenging to know the official spelling. Many people might even think it doesn’t have a proper spelling. But it does. How to Use It The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “a command (as to a draft animal) to stand still. In other words, it was Russia Phone Number Data used to tell an animal to stop, primarily horses. Though it may still be used for that purpose, its meaning has also evolved to express extreme emotion. In a way, it’s kept its original meaning in that it calls for the interlocutor to stop and pay attention. It calls for a pause in the conversation to acknowledge something. The Online Etymology Dictionary notes its use starting in 1843 as “a command to stop a horse” and from the 1980s as “an expression of delight or surprise.
The word 'whoa' is
Pronounced very similarly to ‘wow,’ which it’s synonymous with. The ‘o’ in ‘whoa’ has a long sound, however, like the ‘oa’ in ‘boat.’ Whereas ‘wow’ is pronounced /waʊ/. What’s fun about this word is that you can repeat it if you want to make a more significant impact. Say “whoa, whoa, whoa” for added emphasis. For example: Whoa, whoa, whoa, sorry to interrupt, but did you see how fast that guy was driving? Examples of ‘Whoa’ in Use Now that we’ve covered the basics – what the word means and how to spell it- let’s look at some AO Lists example sentences. Whoa! This blog article is fantastic! Whoa! Did you see that bird fly into the window? Whoa, what’s going on? Whoa! You really want to go there? It kinda sucks. Top it with bacon, and whoa! You’ve got yourself a Caesar Salad.
