Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

wah-wah

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.15 in modern English

Syllables: wah-wah
IPA

18

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

2

Syllables

3

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Modifying the resonance of musical notes to produce the effect of a human voice.

intj

The sad trombone sound, used to indicate failure or disappointment, often used mockingly.

Canadian usage; American usage

noun

A wavering sound produced by means of a movable mute or by electronic means.

verb

To make a wah-wah sound.

Intransitive verb

noun

Alternative form of wau-wau

Dated

Example Sentences

"When told during a Fox News segment about a 10-year-old with Down syndrome who was separated from her mother at the southern border, the former campaign manager of President Trump replied, "Wah wah.""

Etymology

Imitative.

Usage

Inflected Forms

wah wah (alternative) wah-wahs (plural) wah-wahs (present, singular) wah-wahing (participle, present) wah-wahed (participle, past) wah-wahed (past)

Phrases

wah-wah pedal

Synonyms

womp womp

Questions

What does wah-wah mean?: Modifying the resonance of musical notes to produce the effect of a human voice.
Where does wah-wah come from?: Imitative.

How to pronounce wah-wah

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “wah-wah”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “wah-wah”.
Repeat and practice — Say “wah-wah” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.