whoa
whoa · interjection
Definitions
interjection
- 1.
A command to a horse to stop or slow down.
- 2.
Used to express surprise, amazement, or admiration.
- 3.
Used to ask someone to slow down or stop.
Related words
Etymology
A variant of "wo" or "ho," used as a command to horses since at least the 15th century. The spelling "whoa" became standard in the 19th century. The extension to general use as an exclamation of surprise developed in American English, particularly in the 20th century.