wah-wah

or wa-wa

[ wah-wah ]

adjective
  1. producing a muted, bawling sound like that of a trumpet with the hand moved momentarily over the bell: a wah-wah effect on a synthesizer; a guitar with a wah-wah pedal.

noun
  1. a sound or effect like the muted sound of a trumpet, especially in music.

  2. an electronic device or attachment to produce such a sound, often used with an electric guitar.

Origin of wah-wah

1
First recorded in 1925–30; imitative

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use wah-wah in a sentence

  • The wah-wahs called ‘jug-jug’ in a long gurgling cadence, like water pouring from a bottle.

    The Woodlands Orchids | Frederick Boyle

British Dictionary definitions for wah-wah

wah-wah

/ (ˈwɑːˌwɑː) /


noun
  1. the sound made by a trumpet, cornet, etc, when the bell is alternately covered and uncovered: much used in jazz

  2. an electronic attachment for an electric guitar, etc, that simulates this effect

Origin of wah-wah

1
C20: of imitative origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012