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Definition of kapow

kapow

/kəˈpaʊ/
ka · pow
Plural:kapows
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kapow Lexical Profile

kapow Game Scores & Validity

• interjection

1

Used to imitate the sound of a sudden, forceful blow, punch, or explosion, especially in comic books.

Example

"The superhero swung his fist and—kapow!—the villain went flying across the room."

Synonyms
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• noun

1

A sudden, forceful impact, blow, or explosive effect.

Example

"The spicy salsa delivered an unexpected kapow of heat that surprised all the guests."

Synonyms
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• Rhymes for kapow

• Nearby Words

kansas city
kant
kapok
kapow
kappa
kapuas
kaput

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-20th century as an onomatopoeic word, formed by adding the expressive prefix 'ka-' to 'pow', and popularized in American comic books and the 1960s 'Batman' television series.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Kapow. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 4, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/kapow
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