oomph

English

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ʊmf/, /umf/

Noun

oomph (countable and uncountable, plural oomphs)

  1. (informal, uncountable) Strength, power, passion or effectiveness; clout.
    Use a mild cleanser, but pick something with enough oomph to do the job.
    • 1982, Douglas Adams, Life, the Universe and Everything, chapter 30
      "Yes, well they're finding it difficult, sir. They are afflicted with a certain lassitude. They're just finding it hard to get behind the job. They lack oomph."
  2. (informal, uncountable) Sex appeal.
    • 1974, John le Carré, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, chapter 28
      'Come to think of it, the girl looked a bit like Ann,' Jerry reflected. 'Foxy, know what I mean? Garbo eyes, lots of oomph.'
  3. (countable) A bassy grunting or thudding sound.

Synonyms

Translations
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Translations to be checked

Verb

oomph (third-person singular simple present oomphs, present participle oomphing, simple past and past participle oomphed)

  1. (intransitive) To produce a bassy grunting or thudding sound.
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