informal
: a strikingly sexy, voluptuous, or appealing quality
The actress exudes va-va-voom as she walks through the Sixth Avenue doorway of the Power House Theatre.—
Vicki Hillhouse
Vicki HillhouseHe turns up the volume and the va-va-voom, throws Jay-Z and Lana Del Rey on the soundtrack when jazz bands are playing on the screen, but leaves the basic storyline untouched.—Ross Douthat
Ross DouthatThroughout history, the rich have liked to demonstrate their status by displaying luxury goods that their inferiors are unable to afford. An Old Master can add real va-va-voom to your Manhattan penthouse.—The Economist
The Economist
informal
: strikingly sexy, voluptuous, or appealing
This mascara won't clump or flake, plus it'll give you long, full, va-va-voom lashes.—Ama Kwarteng
Ama KwartengThe heroine of Craft's book is Molly Shaw, a mousy … professor of women's history who secretly writes steamy piratical novels as Sandra St. Claire, and who is persuaded to adopt the va-va-voom guise of her literary alter ego in order to seduce Jake Berenger, a billionaire hotelier.—Rebecca Mead
Rebecca MeadExamples of va-va-voom in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2024
Beyoncé turned the volume to 100 for her brand new GQ cover, rocking several different hairstyles with tons of body and va-va-voom volume, a la the signature look of the Lonestar State.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 10 Sep. 2024
But that bump up in adjusted profits comes in what’s been a very long journey for Victoria’s Secret, which for years epitomized a va-va-voom image of sexiness only to fall out of sync with many customers and the times.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 14 Aug. 2024
Among them were Fellini heroines like Claudia Cardinale; Michelangelo Antonioni’s bewitching muse Monica Vitti; the always elegant Sophia Loren; and Monica Bellucci, still the very definition of va-va-voom.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 30 July 2024
The Bailey sisters went long with butt-length locs for Chlöe and curls for Halle, while Ice Spice changed it up with a fun, va-va-voom bombshell bob.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 30 June 2024
The shape in drag isn’t as va-va-voom as her face deserves.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2024
Winehouse left a tall fashion legacy with her unique mix of retro va-va-voom styles and sportswear.
—Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2024
The whole style — combined with her glam outfit — made for one va-va-voom appearance on the red carpet in France.
—Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 14 May 2024
Thomas Adamson, ajc, 4 Mar. 2023
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illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
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Noun
This moisturizing lipstick uses mimosa, jojoba, and sunflower waxes to deliver lasting hydration, while rich pigments elevate this from a simple lip balm to a va-va-voom makeup essential.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2024
Beyoncé turned the volume to 100 for her brand new GQ cover, rocking several different hairstyles with tons of body and va-va-voom volume, a la the signature look of the Lonestar State.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 10 Sep. 2024
But that bump up in adjusted profits comes in what’s been a very long journey for Victoria’s Secret, which for years epitomized a va-va-voom image of sexiness only to fall out of sync with many customers and the times.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 14 Aug. 2024
Among them were Fellini heroines like Claudia Cardinale; Michelangelo Antonioni’s bewitching muse Monica Vitti; the always elegant Sophia Loren; and Monica Bellucci, still the very definition of va-va-voom.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 30 July 2024
The Bailey sisters went long with butt-length locs for Chlöe and curls for Halle, while Ice Spice changed it up with a fun, va-va-voom bombshell bob.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 30 June 2024
The shape in drag isn’t as va-va-voom as her face deserves.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2024
Winehouse left a tall fashion legacy with her unique mix of retro va-va-voom styles and sportswear.
—Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2024
The whole style — combined with her glam outfit — made for one va-va-voom appearance on the red carpet in France.
—Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 14 May 2024
Adjective
The collection crescendoed passionately into the evening with Saab’s bread-and-butter va-va-voom silhouettes.
—Thomas Adamson, ajc, 4 Mar. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near va-va-voom
Cite this Entry
“Va-va-voom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/va-va-voom. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
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