interjection Uncommon

phew

fyoo

Phew (interjection) means used to express relief after tension or effort. Example: “Phew! We made the flight with two minutes to spare.”

interjection

Used to express relief after tension or effort.

"Phew! We made the flight with two minutes to spare."

Used to express that something smells unpleasant.

"Phew, what is that smell coming from the bin?"

How to use phew

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA sound people make to show relief, or sometimes disgust at a bad smell.

When to use it

Purely spoken/informal — used in speech and casual writing, never formal text.

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Can you complete this real example?

_____! We made the flight with two minutes to spare.

Etymology

An imitation of the sound of a quick exhale, used across many languages for the same "that's over" feeling of relief.

Rhymes for phew

chew whew

See all rhymes for phew →

Frequently asked questions

What does “phew” mean?

The word “phew” means used to express relief after tension or effort. In plain terms, a sound people make to show relief, or sometimes disgust at a bad smell.

How do you pronounce “phew”?

“Phew” is pronounced fyoo (/fjuː/ in IPA).

How do you use “phew” in a sentence?

Here is “phew” used in a sentence: “Phew! We made the flight with two minutes to spare.”

What part of speech is “phew”?

“Phew” is an interjection.

Is “phew” a common word?

“Phew” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “phew” have?

“Phew” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used to express relief after tension or effort.

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Words that end with W