whew

Interjection

1. An expressive sound made indicating the release of one's inner tension; the release of breath; an expression of relief.
   • (from strenuous labour) Whew! That box weighs a ton!
   • (from intense concern) Whew! Thank goodness youʼre safe! I thought something terrible had happened to you!

   Synonyms:

   phew

2. An expression of amazement or surprise.
   • Now I must be off. Whew, it's as cold as the North Pole. Which way is the wind blowing?1934, P[amela] L[yndon] Travers, “East Wind”, in Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins; 1), London: Gerald Howe Ltd […], →OCLC, page 3

   Synonyms:

   wow

Verb (1)

whew (third-person singular simple present whews, present participle whewing, simple past and past participle whewed)

1. (Scotland, UK, dialectal) To whistle with a shrill pipe, like a plover.

Verb (2)

whew (third-person singular simple present whews, present participle whewing, simple past and past participle whewed)

1. (UK, dialectal, intransitive) To bustle about.