# phew

> English word · Interjection · IPA /fjuː/ · frequency rank #24,271

## Definitions
1. Used to express relief of tension, fatigue, or surprise.
2. Used to show disgust.

## Etymology
Attested since the early 17th century. An onomatopoeia for rapid exhalation, as one may make when a trying situation is over, or in order to get rid of an unpleasant odour. Compare Scots feuch, Spanish fu, Czech fuj, and many more such forms.

## Easily confused with
- **PW** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-pw)
- **pie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-pie)
- **phi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-phi)
- **Poe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-poe)
- **POW** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-pow)
- **PHP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-php)
- **PPE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-ppe)
- **pye** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-pye)
- **Phil** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-phil)
- **poem** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-poem)
- **poet** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-poet)
- **prey** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-prey)
- **plea** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-plea)
- **prep** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-prep)
- **pier** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-pier)
- **pres** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-pres)
- **pies** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-pies)
- **prem** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-prem)
- **plow** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-plow)
- **pied** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phew-vs-pied)

## Common misspellings (6)
`hpew`, `pehw`, `pheww`, `phhew`, `phwe`, `pphew`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/phew