Definition

1. Verb:
   • To move or cause to move with a rushing or hissing sound, often characterized by speed and a smooth, continuous flow of air or liquid.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • The wind wooshed through the tall grass. (The wind moved quickly through the grass, creating a rushing sound.)
  • She wooshed the curtains aside to let in the light. (She moved the curtains aside swiftly, causing them to make a soft, sweeping sound.)

Advanced Usage

• Onomatopoeic Use: The word "woosh" is often used to imitate or describe the sound itself.
  • The rocket took off with a loud woosh. (The sound of the rocket taking off was a rushing "woosh".)
  • All I heard was a woosh and the ball was past me. (The sound was a swift rush as the ball moved by.)

Variants and Related Words

• Whoosh (verb/noun): A common alternative spelling with the same meaning.
  • The train whooshed past the platform.
• Swoosh (verb/noun): Similar, often implying a softer or more curved motion with a sound.
  • The basketball swooshed through the net.

Synonyms

• Hiss: To make a sharp, prolonged sound like that of 's'.
• Rush: To move with great speed, often accompanied by a sound.
• Swoop: To move rapidly downward or through the air with a sweeping motion.

Related Phrases

• (With) a woosh: Used to describe an action accompanied by this sound.
  • The door slid open with a woosh.
• To go woosh: An informal phrase describing the action of making this sound.
  • The air went woosh out of the balloon.

Related Idioms

No specific idioms are commonly formed with the word "woosh". Its use is primarily descriptive and onomatopoeic.

Verb

1. move with a sibilant sound
   • He whooshed the doors open