wow

USAGE SUMMARY

"wow" is a valid word in written English.
You can use it to show emphasis on an emotion or feeling, such as surprise or admiration. For example: "I can't believe she is running the marathon - wow!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Music

Books

Culture

Opinion

Fashion

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 11.30pm BST23 30 "I thought, wow, here's ol' moderate Mitt.

The Guardian

"Most came back and said: 'Wow, I haven't had something like this since I left the police academy.'" "We have been intoxicated with bad policing in America for a long time," says borough president Adams, "and we have refused to acknowledge that drunkenness.

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 9.20pm BST21:20 18 min: Wow! Making a run from midfield, Fauzi Ghoulam turns on the afterburners and leaves Mesut Ozil in his dust as he gallops up the inside-left and latches on to a pass from Soudani.

The Guardian - Sport

"He recognized that, wow, he's making significantly more than women who are more qualified than him, and that's really not OK," said Voswinkel.

The Guardian

So good for Jenner for unleashing her "wow" factor – but I doubt that it will be the full story.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now I know what most of you are thinking, and no doubt it runs something like: "Copyright infringement is a tricky issue that sh- … wow, that Princess Machine advert looks pretty cool!

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

079126 29514, srilankaholidayhome.com, from £25 a night, £750 a month Pow-Wow Point Lodge is on the banks of the Peninsula Lake near Huntsville, Ontario, a beautiful area to explore.

The Guardian - Travel

AN ALLEGED assassination attempt on his deputy, a pow-wow in London for 15 opposition groups hoping to topple his regime, a call for him and his lieutenants to be tried for war crimes, and yet another row with UN weapons inspectors: on the face of it, the past week has brought nothing but bad news for Iraq's President Saddam Hussein.

The Economist

The acolytes of Ron Paul, a libertarian presidential candidate with a devoted and disgruntled following, did not disrupt the Republican pow-wow in Tampa as feared.

The Economist

Hence the antique rifle Mr McConnell brandished at a conservative pow-wow on March 6th he needs to persuade the hard right that he is not squishy.Republicans need a net gain of six seats to capture the Senate.

The Economist

"One strike and you're out," was Mr Immelt's message to the company's top 600 managers as they gathered for their annual pow-wow in Boca Raton in January.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using "wow". It is generally suitable for informal settings and less appropriate for formal writing.

Common error

Avoid placing punctuation marks directly after "wow" without considering the flow of the sentence. For instance, instead of "Wow!", consider "Wow, that's incredible!" to make the exclamation less abrupt.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wow" is to serve as an interjection, expressing a sudden surge of emotion like surprise, amazement, or admiration. As Ludwig AI indicates, it emphasizes the emotional response. The examples show it punctuating moments of surprise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Lifestyle

17%

Sport

14%

Less common in

Music

6%

Travel

3%

Books

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the interjection "wow" is a versatile expression used to convey surprise, admiration, or amazement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in various contexts. While generally informal, "wow" appears frequently in news, lifestyle, and sports content. To maximize its impact, use "wow" judiciously and be mindful of the punctuation surrounding it. Consider alternatives like "amazing" or "incredible" for more formal settings. When used effectively, "wow" enhances communication by conveying genuine emotional responses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amazing

Expresses a strong feeling of surprise or wonder, similar to "wow", but in a more descriptive way.

incredible

Conveys a sense of disbelief and amazement, much like "wow", but with a stronger emphasis on the unexpected nature of something.

unbelievable

Highlights the difficulty in accepting something as true, akin to using "wow" to express astonishment.

fantastic

Expresses great pleasure or approval, similar to "wow" when used to show admiration.

remarkable

Emphasizes the noteworthy or exceptional quality of something, comparable to "wow" in expressing surprise or admiration.

astounding

Conveys a sense of overwhelming shock or amazement, similar to a more intense version of "wow".

stunning

Highlights the beauty or impressiveness of something, akin to using "wow" to express admiration for visual appeal.

mind-blowing

Expresses extreme surprise or excitement, similar to "wow" but with a stronger emphasis on the overwhelming nature of the experience.

impressive

Highlights the admirable quality of something, similar to "wow" when used to show respect or admiration.

extraordinary

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of something, comparable to "wow" in expressing surprise at something unusual or remarkable.

FAQs

How can I use "wow" in a sentence?

"Wow" is typically used as an interjection to express surprise, admiration, or amazement. For example: "Wow, that's an amazing view!" or "Wow, I didn't expect that!"

What are some alternatives to using "wow"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "amazing", "incredible", "unbelievable", or "fantastic" to express similar emotions.

Is it appropriate to use "wow" in formal writing?

Generally, "wow" is more suitable for informal or casual communication. In formal writing, it's better to use more descriptive and professional language to convey surprise or admiration.

Can "wow" be used sarcastically?

Yes, "wow" can be used sarcastically to express disapproval or disbelief, similar to saying "Really?" or "I can't believe it!" The tone of voice or context usually indicates the sarcastic intent. For example: "Wow... I can't believe you would do such a thing."