wham

Wham is an onomatopoeic English word used to represent the sound of a sudden, forceful impact. It is often written with an exclamation mark (Wham!) in comics, cartoons, and expressive prose to convey a loud strike or collision. The form is closely related to other sound-imitative words such as bam, zap, and kapow, and it is frequently used as an interjection or narrative device to heighten dramatic effect. In everyday usage, wham can also function metaphorically to describe abrupt, striking events.

In popular culture, Wham! refers to a British pop duo formed in 1981 by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. The group achieved global fame in the early 1980s with upbeat singles such as Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go and the 1984 hit Careless Whisper. They released two studio albums, Fantastic (1983) and Make It Big (1984), before disbanding in 1986. George Michael later pursued a successful solo career.

The term remains in general use as a representation of impact sounds and is notable for its association with both onomatopoeia and a prominent 1980s music act.