vroom
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /vruːm/oftenreduplicationinterjection
- /vruːm/noun
- /vruːm/informalverb
US
- /ˈvrum/
Description
- engine sound
- fast movement
- playful car noise
- sudden speed
"Vroom" is the sound people use to imitate an engine, especially when talking about cars, motorcycles, or toy vehicles moving fast. It often suggests speed, motion, and excitement. You will often hear it in playful situations, such as when a child pushes a toy car across the floor and says, "Vroom!" It can also be used in a light, informal way to describe a quick burst of speed, especially when a vehicle suddenly takes off.
"Vroom" is primarily an onomatopoeia, a word that imitates a sound. It represents the loud, rising sound of an engine, most often from a car, motorcycle, or similar vehicle. People use it when they want to show that something is moving quickly or making that familiar motor noise. For example, a child might run a toy truck along a table and say, "Vroom, vroom," or someone might jokingly say a sports car went "vroom" as it sped away.
The word is especially common in speech with children, in sound effects, and in informal storytelling. Adults also use it in a playful or humorous way when talking about driving fast or showing off a powerful vehicle. In some cases, it can work as a verb, as in "The car vroomed off down the street," though this is casual and not very formal.
It usually keeps a fun, lively tone rather than a serious one. While it strongly connects to engine noise and speed, it is not commonly used to describe general energy in unrelated situations. In everyday English, its meaning stays close to vehicles, movement, and playful imitation of mechanical sound.
Examples
- 1
Traffic light
The car gave a quick vroom as the light turned green.
- 2
Children's play
Mia pushed her toy bus across the floor, saying, "Vroom, vroom!"
Usage
vroom vroom
a common playful way to imitate an engine sound, especially in children's speech
- 3
Motorcycle departure
He revved the motorcycle once, and it vroomed off down the road.
Phrase
vroom off
leave quickly with a loud engine sound
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- vroomnounverb