Advertisement

View synonyms for pop

pop

1

[ pop ]

verb (used without object)

, popped, pop·ping.
  1. to make a short, quick, explosive sound:

    The cork popped.

  2. to burst open with such a sound, as chestnuts or corn in roasting.
  3. to come or go quickly, suddenly, or unexpectedly:

    She popped into the kitchen to check the stove.

    Synonyms: burst, appear

  4. to protrude from the sockets:

    The news made her eyes pop.

  5. Baseball.
    1. to hit a pop fly (often followed by up ).
    2. to pop out.
  6. Informal. to be bright or prominent, especially as against something less distinctive:

    I love how the colors pop against the neutral walls.

  7. to shoot with a firearm:

    to pop at a mark.



verb (used with object)

, popped, pop·ping.
  1. to cause to make a sudden, explosive sound.
  2. to cause to burst open with such a sound.
  3. to open suddenly or violently:

    to pop the hood on a car; to pop the tab on a beer can.

  4. to put or thrust quickly, suddenly, or unexpectedly:

    He popped the muffins into the oven.

  5. Informal. to cause to fire; discharge:

    He popped his rifle at the bird.

  6. to shoot (usually followed by at, off, etc.):

    He popped off bottles with a slingshot.

  7. British Slang. to pawn.
  8. Informal.
    1. to take or swallow (pills), especially in excess or habitually; take orally in a compulsive or addictive way:

      Popping all those pills will land him in the hospital.

    2. to eat in a continual or thoughtless manner, as snack foods:

      popping peanuts at the movies.

noun

  1. a short, quick, explosive sound.
  2. a popping.
  3. a shot with a firearm.
  4. Informal. soda pop.
  5. a drink or portion of an alcoholic beverage, as a drink of whiskey or a glass of beer:

    We had a couple of pops on the way home.

  6. Baseball. pop fly.
  7. Informal. a bright or prominent burst of something:

    Citrus can add a pop of flavor.

adverb

  1. with an explosive sound:

    The balloon went pop.

  2. quickly, suddenly, or unexpectedly:

    Pop, the door flew open!

adjective

  1. Informal. unexpected; without prior warning or announcement:

    The teacher gave us a pop quiz.

verb phrase

  1. Informal.
    1. to die, especially suddenly.
    2. to depart, especially abruptly.
    3. to express oneself volubly or excitedly and sometimes irately or indiscreetly:

      He popped off about the injustice of the verdict.

  2. Baseball. to be put out by hitting a pop fly caught on the fly by a player on the opposing team.
  3. Baseball. to hit a pop fly.
  4. Informal. to pay or buy for oneself or another, especially as a gift or treat; spring for:

    I'll pop for the first round of drinks.

pop

2

[ pop ]

adjective

  1. of or relating to songs that are produced for and popular with mass audiences:

    She studied classical music in school, but found a career writing pop songs.

  2. being or relating to a broad genre of music characterized by being highly accessible and commercial, frequently changing sound according to what musical styles are trendy, and often having repetitive lyrics and simple rhythms that are easy to dance to:

    She was originally a country singer, but her music has gradually swung toward a more pop sound.

  3. of or relating to pop art.
  4. reflecting or aimed at the tastes of the general public:

    pop culture;

    pop novels;

    pop psychology.

noun

  1. music that is produced for and popular with mass audiences:

    It's the first time she's sung pop, as she usually performs opera.

  2. a broad genre of music characterized by being highly accessible and commercial, frequently changing sound according to what musical styles are trendy, and often having repetitive lyrics and simple rhythms that are easy to dance to (often used in combination):

    The album's instrumentation mixes the sounds of soul, R&B, and pop.

    Here's our list of the top pop rock albums of the year.

pop

3

[ pop ]

noun

, Informal.

pop

4

[ pop ]

noun

  1. a frozen ice or ice-cream confection on a stick:

    Two lemon pops, please.

POP

5

[ pee-oh-pee; pop ]

pop.

6

abbreviation for

  1. popular.
  2. popularly.
  3. population.

p.o.p.

7

abbreviation for

  1. point-of-purchase.

P.O.P.

8

abbreviation for

  1. point-of-purchase.

pop

1

/ pɒp /

noun

  1. See father
    an informal word for father
  2. informal.
    a name used in addressing an old or middle-aged man


pop

2

/ pɒp /

verb

  1. to make or cause to make a light sharp explosive sound
  2. to burst open or cause to burst open with such a sound
  3. informal.
    intr; often foll by in, out, etc to come (to) or go (from) rapidly or suddenly; to pay a brief or unexpected visit (to)
  4. intr (esp of the eyes) to protrude

    her eyes popped with amazement

  5. to shoot or fire at (a target) with a firearm
  6. tr to place or put with a sudden movement

    she popped some tablets into her mouth

  7. informal.
    tr to pawn

    he popped his watch yesterday

  8. slang.
    tr to take (a drug) in pill form or as an injection

    pill popping

  9. See clog
    pop one's clogs
    pop one's clogs See clog 1
  10. pop the question informal.
    pop the question to propose marriage

noun

  1. a light sharp explosive sound; crack
  2. informal.
    a flavoured nonalcoholic carbonated beverage
  3. informal.
    a try; attempt

    have a pop at goal

  4. informal.
    an instance of criticism

    Townsend has had a pop at modern bands

  5. a pop informal.
    a pop each

    30 million shares at 7 dollars a pop

adverb

  1. with a popping sound

interjection

  1. an exclamation denoting a sharp explosive sound

POP

3

abbreviation for

  1. point of presence: a device that enables access to the internet
  2. internet post office protocol: a protocol which brings e-mail to and from a mail server
  3. Post Office Preferred (size of envelopes, etc)
  4. persistent organic pollutant

pop

4

/ pɒp /

noun

    1. music of general appeal, esp among young people, that originated as a distinctive genre in the 1950s. It is generally characterized by a strong rhythmic element and the use of electrical amplification
    2. ( as modifier )

      a pop group

      pop music

      a pop record

  1. informal.
    a piece of popular or light classical music

adjective

  1. informal.
    short for popular

pop.

5

abbreviation for

  1. popular
  2. popularly
  3. population

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of pop1

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English verb poppen “to strike”; of expressive origin

Origin of pop2

First recorded in 1860–65; shortening of popular

Origin of pop3

First recorded in 1820–30; short form of poppa

Origin of pop4

Probably shortening of Popsicle

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of pop1

C14: of imitative origin

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. a pop, Slang. each; apiece:

    five orchids at $30 a pop.

  2. pop the question, Informal. to propose marriage:

    They dated for two years before he popped the question.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement