whoosh

Pluralwhooshes

Formswhooshes, whooshing, whooshed

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A soft rushing sound, like something moving past very fast.

   Like the sound of air rushing when you swing a stick fast.

   The arrow flew by with a sharp whoosh.

   We heard a loud whoosh as the train sped past.

   Similarswoosh, rush, swish, whiz

   Note
2. 2
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To move past something very fast.

   Like a bird flying by so fast you barely see it.

   Cars whoosh past the house all day long.

   The express train whooshed by before we could wave.

   Similarzoom, whiz, speed, race, rush

3. 3
   verbintransitive

   To make a soft rushing sound.

   Like the sound air makes when you blow out candles hard.

   The wind whooshed through the open window.

   Flames whoosh upward when you open the vent.

   Similarswoosh, hiss, whir

4. 4
   interjection

   Said to copy the sound of something rushing quickly past.

   Like saying 'zoom' when a fast car goes by.

   Whoosh! The skateboard shot down the ramp.

   And then, whoosh, the kite took off into the sky.

   Similarzoom

   Note
5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To make something move past quickly.

   Like pushing a toy car so it zips across the floor.

   The waiter whooshed the tray past the crowded tables.

   Strong fans whoosh fresh air through the tunnel.

   Similarwhisk, shoot, rush, zip

6. 6
   verbfigurativelytransitive or intransitive

   To go past someone who does not notice or understand it.

   Like a ball thrown over your head that you never even see.

   The joke whooshed right past him, and he just stared blankly.

   Complicated jokes often whoosh past younger kids.

   Similarsail

   Note
7. 7
   interjectionsarcastic

   Said when someone completely misses the point of something.

   Like saying 'over your head' when a friend does not get a joke.

   Whoosh! That went straight over your head, didn't it?

   You took it literally? Whoosh! You missed the joke.

   Note
8. 8
   verbdialectalMulticultural London Englishtransitive

   To shoot and kill someone with a gun.

   The gang threatened to whoosh anyone who talked to the police.

   They whooshed him in broad daylight outside the bar.

   Similarshoot, kill

   Note
9. 9
   noundialectalMulticultural London Englishcountable

   A gun, especially a handgun someone carries.

   He kept a whoosh tucked into his waistband.

   The cops found three whooshes hidden in the trunk.

   Similargun, piece, pistol, handgun

   Note
10. 10
    noundialectalMulticultural London Englishcountable

    A killing done by shooting someone with a gun.

    The detectives were assigned a new whoosh on the east side.

    There were three whooshes in the city that weekend.

    Similarshooting, killing

    Note

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