Definition

1. Noun:

   • A sudden, rushing sound made by something moving very quickly through the air or by a fluid (like air, water, or gas) moving rapidly.
   • The noise of a swift, forceful movement.

2. Verb:

   • To move very quickly with a rushing, hissing, or swishing sound.
   • To cause something to move or be emitted with such a sound.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The whoosh of the passing train was deafening.
  • We heard the whoosh of air escaping from the punctured tire.

• Verb:

  • The arrow whooshed past my ear.
  • Water whooshed out of the broken pipe.
  • He whooshed the doors open with a dramatic gesture.

Advanced Usage

• "with a whoosh": Used to describe an action accompanied by the characteristic sound.
  • The gas ignited, and the flames shot up with a whoosh.
• Onomatopoeic Function: The word itself imitates the sound it describes, making it common in expressive writing.

Variants and Related Words

• Whooshing (adj/n): Describing or constituting such a sound.
  • The whooshing noise of the wind.
• Swoosh: A very similar word, often used interchangeably for a soft rushing sound.

Synonyms

• Noun: Rush, swish, swoosh, hiss, whiz.
• Verb: Rush, swish, swoosh, hiss, whiz, gush, spurt.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its usage is typically as a verb followed by an adverb or prepositional phrase.) * Whoosh past/by: To move quickly past something with the sound. * The cars whooshed by on the highway. * Whoosh out/up: To be expelled or rise quickly with the sound. * Steam whooshed out of the kettle.

Related Idioms

(There are no common idioms centered on the word "whoosh." It is primarily a descriptive word for sound and motion.)

Noun

1. the noise produced by the sudden rush of a fluid (a gas or liquid)

Verb

1. gush or squirt out
   • Oil whooshed up when the drill hit the well
2. move with a whooshing sound
3. move with a sibilant sound
   • He whooshed the doors open