subwoof

English

Etymology

Back-formation from subwoofer. Equivalent to sub- +‎ woof.

Noun

(informal) The very low-pitched sound produced by a subwoofer.
Synonym: sub-bass
- 2006, Mark Budz, Idolon, New York, N.Y.: Bantam Spectra, →ISBN, page 77:
  Pelayo leaned forward and picked up the menu in front of him. The subwoof bass from the speakers kicked at his eardrums, heavy as steel-toed boots.
- 2025 January 25, Kathryn Shattuck, “Tamara Lawrance Wants Another Season of ’The Traitors,’ but for Actors”, in The New York Times‎^[1], New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 25 January 2025:
  It's essentially roots reggae, but with the bass and the subwoof extrapolated and intensified at a particular hertz that is supposed to be a healing frequency. And it's played on these really massive sound systems.

Verb

subwoof (third-person singular simple present subwoofs, present participle subwoofing, simple past and past participle subwoofed)

(informal) To produce a very low-pitched sound.
- 2015, Robert J. Peterson, Odds: A Post-Apocalyptic Action Comedy, Los Angeles, C.A.: Rare Bird Books, →ISBN, page 307:
  "El, this is fucking rad," Oksana subwoofed.