# aahing

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/aahing
Updated: 2026-05-01

## Senses

### 1. expressing pleasure or surprise

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

making a sound to show you are impressed, happy, or surprised.

For teachers: uttering an exclamation of pleasure, surprise, or admiration. Often used in the continuous aspect to describe a collective reaction.

- The crowd was oohing and aahing as the fireworks lit up the sky.
- The guests spent the evening oohing and aahing over the couple's extensive collection of rare travel photography.

Usage: Frequently occurs in the coordinated phrase 'oohing and aahing'.

### 2. the sound itself

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

the actual sound of someone saying 'ah'.

For teachers: the production of an 'aah' sound, typically as a reaction to a stimulus.

- There was a lot of aahing from the audience when the puppy appeared.
- The constant aahing from the front row suggested that the magic trick had successfully baffled the younger spectators.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.