whew

• IPA^(key): /hwjuː/, /fjuː/, [ʍĭ̥ŭ̥], [ɸĭ̥ŭ̥] [very short and unvoiced]

• Audio (General American):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -uː
• Homophone: phew

whew

1. An expressive sound made indicating the release of one's inner tension; the release of breath; an expression of relief.

   (from strenuous labour) Whew! That box weighs a ton!

   (from intense concern) Whew! Thank goodness youʼre safe! I thought something terrible had happened to you!

   (from fear of being seen) Whew! That cop didnʼt see me! That was a close call!

2. An expression of amazement or surprise.
   • 1934, P[amela] L[yndon] Travers, “East Wind”, in Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins; 1), London: Gerald Howe Ltd […], →OCLC, page 3:

     Now I must be off. Whew, it's as cold as the North Pole. Which way is the wind blowing?

• (expressing relief of tension): phew
• (expressing surprise): wow

• whoa
• wow

whew (third-person singular simple present whews, present participle whewing, simple past and past participle whewed)

1. (UK, Scotland, dialect) To whistle with a shrill pipe, like a plover.

• whewee

whew (third-person singular simple present whews, present participle whewing, simple past and past participle whewed)

1. (intransitive, UK, dialect) To bustle about.