oomph

plural oomphs

1. informaluncountableStrength, power, passion or effectiveness; clout.

   Use a mild cleanser, but pick something with enough oomph to do the job.

   2 more examples

   "Yes, well they're finding it difficult, sir. They are afflicted with a certain lassitude. They're just finding it hard to get behind the job. They lack oomph."

   1982 August, Douglas Adams, chapter 30, in Life, the Universe and Everything (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy; 3), London: Pan Books, →ISBN

   Adding layers of texture to a cookie by folding in ground-down bits of goodness is one of our favorite ways to pack a big punch, but you need to choose your fighter wisely. If you pick something too smooth, your cookie won't gain any oomph, and if you choose something too flavorful, your cookie may end up overwhelming (sorry, Flamin' Hot Cheetos).

   2022, Christina Tosi, All About Cookies: A Milk Bar Baking Book, New York, NY: Clarkson Potter, →ISBN, page 53

   Synonyms: welly

2. informaluncountableSex appeal.

   'Come to think of it, the girl looked a bit like Ann,' Jerry reflected. 'Foxy, know what I mean? Garbo eyes, lots of oomph.'

   1974, John le Carré, chapter 28, in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

3. countableA bassy grunting or thudding sound.

present singular third person oomphs · participle present oomphing · participle past oomphed · past oomphed

1. intransitiveTo produce a bassy grunting or thudding sound.