Hooray
/hʊˈreɪ/noun
An exclamation used to express joy, approval, or triumph.
Did you know?Modern English *hooray* is a relatively late shout, likely influenced by older cheering cries like *huzza* and *hurrah*, which helped turn public emotion into a ritualized exclamation.
Etymological Timeline
Early 17th Century
English
hurray / hooray
“A shout of triumph or encouragement”
17th–18th Century
English
hurrah
“A cheering cry used in celebration or battle”
17th–18th Century
English
huzza
“An exclamation of applause or acclamation”
Uncertain; likely imitative
Germanic/English
“A shouted cry formed by sound rather than inherited word history”
Modern English
English
hooray
“An exclamation of joy, approval, or victory”