oomph

[oo mf] /ʊmf/
noun, Informal.
1.
energy; vitality; enthusiasm.
2.
sex appeal.
Origin
1935-40, Americanism; imitative of the sound made during exertion, as in lifting a heavy object
Examples from the web for oomph
  • Perhaps you'll remember it when you feel that you need the extra oomph.
  • It's a good idea to plant them with companion plants as in the photo, to give the planting more oomph during the off season.
  • But so far this season, the winter storms have lacked oomph.
  • The jets give him powered ascent and the oomph to do loops.
  • Four flywheels would have the oomph to run a standard-size car, but not for long distances.
  • The trouble is that turbochargers can take several seconds to provide the extra oomph.
  • It gets its extra oomph from a supercharger forcing more air into the combustion chambers of its engine.
  • They have more oomph, and no need of a gearbox to deliver it.
  • Today's turbochargers, however, take several seconds to deliver the extra oomph.
  • Without a follow through from household and business spending, the industrial sector won't be providing much oomph to the economy.
British Dictionary definitions for oomph

oomph

/ʊmf/
noun (informal)
1.
enthusiasm, vigour, or energy
2.
sex appeal
Word Origin
C20: perhaps imitative of the bellow of a mating bull
Word Origin and History for oomph

"sexual attractiveness," 1937, suggestive visceral physical sound. Ann Sheridan (1915–1967) was the original Hollywood oomph girl (1939).

Slang definitions & phrases for oomph

oomph

noun
  1. Sexual attractiveness; compelling carnality; it
  2. Energy; clout, pizzazz: substance, drive, authority, emotional power, and oomph

[1937+; an echoic coinage suggesting the gasp of someone hit hard by a blow, a transport of desire, etc]