woo
woo Lexical Profile
woo Game Scores & Validity
• interjection
Used to express exuberant excitement, joy, or approval.
"Woo! We finally finished our last exam of the semester!"
• verb
To seek the favor, support, or custom of someone, such as voters, clients, or investors.
"The candidate spent weeks traveling across the state to woo undecided voters."
To try to gain the romantic love of someone, especially with the intention of marriage.
"In the classic novel, the young suitor attempts to woo the heroine with handwritten poetry."
• noun
Unscientific, mystical, or pseudoscientific beliefs and alternative therapies (informal, often derogatory, short for 'woo-woo').
"The medical board dismissed the homeopathic remedy as pure woo lacking any clinical evidence."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'woo' (to court or seek support) with the homophone 'woe' (great sorrow or distress).
• Rhymes for woo
Word Origin & Etymology
As a verb, 'woo' derives from the Old English 'wogian' (to court or marry), likely related to 'woh' meaning 'bent' or 'inclined'—suggesting the act of bending or inclining someone toward oneself.