Wham
/wæm/noun
A word representing a sudden loud impact, or describing something that happens with explosive force.
Did you know?Unlike inherited words with ancient roots, “wham” is an expressive sound-symbolic formation: its force comes from resembling the abrupt noise it names.
Etymological Timeline
18th Century
English
wham
“An imitative expression for a heavy blow or sudden impact”
18th–19th Century
English
wham
“A loud sound or forceful strike”
19th Century
English
wham
“To strike or hit with sudden force”
19th–20th Century
English
wham
“A sudden, dramatic event or powerful effect”
Modern English
English
wham
“An impact sound, emphatic interjection, or verb meaning to hit suddenly”