interjection Uncommon

welp

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Welp (interjection) means a resigned version of "well", said when something has gone wrong or an outcome is out of your hands and there is nothing left to do about it. Example: “Welp, that's the deposit gone.”

interjection

informal A resigned version of "well", said when something has gone wrong or an outcome is out of your hands and there is nothing left to do about it.

"Welp, that's the deposit gone."

"Welp, guess we're walking."

informal Used to mark that you are winding up a conversation or about to leave.

"Welp, I'd better get going."

"Welp, that's me done for the day."

How to use welp

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA shrugging "oh well".

When to use it

Spoken American English in origin, now very common in online writing. Almost always sits at the start of a sentence and is followed by a comma. It carries a shrug that plain "well" does not.

Memory tip

Do not spell it whelp — that is a puppy, or the act of giving birth to one.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

well → whelp → yelp →

Common pairings

welp, that's that welp, here we go welp, guess not

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____, that's the deposit gone.

Etymology

Representing well pronounced with the mouth snapped closed at the end. Compare yep, yup, nope, and ope.

Synonyms

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well oh well ah well oof

Related words

well money wall wow easily sick healthy ill

Rhymes for welp

help kelp whelp

See all rhymes for welp →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between welp and whelp?

Welp is the interjection meaning "oh well". A whelp is a young dog or a wolf cub, and as a verb it means to give birth to them. The h changes the word completely, though people mix them up constantly online.

Is welp a real word?

Yes. It is an established informal interjection recorded in major dictionaries, formed from a clipped, glottal pronunciation of "well". It is fine in speech and casual writing but not in formal prose.

What is the meaning of welp?

"welp" (interjection) means a resigned version of "well", said when something has gone wrong or an outcome is out of your hands and there is nothing left to do about it.

What is another word for welp?

Other words for "welp" include well, oh well, ah well, oof.

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