woo-woo

adjective

ˈwü-ˌwü How to pronounce woo-woo (audio)
: dubiously or outlandishly mystical, supernatural, or unscientific
And she has written a book … in which she dismisses what she calls "woo-woo spirituality" in favor of some straight talk on living with loss …—Linda Richman
Energy beams from the eyes certainly sounds like woo-woo stuff …—Steve Blow
woo-woo noun
One man's woo-woo, of course, is another's deeply held belief system. —Julia Moskin

Examples of woo-woo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Plates are creative without ever being too woo-woo. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Apr. 2026 Many Chicagoans see sound healing sessions not as woo-woo, but as a part of one’s toolkit for well-being. — Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026 Somewhere in the middle of that woo-woo spectrum lies the work of Carlos Castaneda. — Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026 No doubt there will be some who come to this show and walk away feeling like pre-sobriety Jeff, wondering what all the sentiment and woo-woo is about. — Chris Willman, Variety, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for woo-woo

Word History

Etymology

probably from the interjection woo-woo as a conventional representation of an eerie or ghostly sound

First Known Use

1992, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of woo-woo was in 1992

Rhymes for woo-woo

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Browse Nearby Words

wootz
woo-woo
woozily
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Cite this Entry

“Woo-woo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woo-woo. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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