phew

• whew, pew

Attested since the early 17th century. An onomatopoeia for rapid exhalation, as one may make when a trying situation is over, or in order to get rid of an unpleasant odour. Compare Scots feuch, Spanish fu, Czech fuj, and many more such forms.

• IPA^(key): /fjuː/, [ɸju̥˥˩]
• Rhymes: -uː

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Homophone: few

phew

1. Used to express relief of tension, fatigue, or surprise.

   Phew, that took a long time to cook!

2. Used to show disgust.

   Phew, it stinks in here!

• (expressing relief of tension): whew
• (expressing disgust): See Thesaurus:yuck

• whew
• φεῦ (pheû)