Oomph is that extra burst of energy, force, or excitement that makes something more powerful or impressive. When a pitcher throws a fastball with real oomph, it zooms across the plate faster and harder than usual. When a song has oomph, it makes you want to turn up the volume and move to the beat.

You can add oomph to almost anything. A plain poster might be okay, but adding bold colors and dynamic lettering gives it oomph. A speech that's just reading facts feels flat, but when you deliver it with confidence and enthusiasm, you give it the oomph it needs to grab people's attention.

The word sounds like what it means: it has a punchy, powerful feel. When coaches tell athletes to put more oomph into their performance, they want more intensity and effort. When your science project needs more oomph, it needs something extra to make it stand out, like a working model or a dramatic demonstration.

Oomph is about the difference between doing something adequately and doing it with real force and spirit behind it.