pop

¹pop

verb \ˈpäp\

poppedpop·ping

Definition of POP

transitive verb

1

: to strike or knock sharply : hit

2

: to push, put, or thrust suddenly and often deftly <pops a grape into her mouth> <popped in a CD>

3

: to cause to explode or burst open <popped some popcorn> <pop the trunk>

4

: to fire at : shoot

5

: to take (pills) especially frequently or habitually

6

: to open with a pop <pop a cold beer>

intransitive verb

1

a : to go, come, or appear suddenly —often used with up <images popping up on the screen> <pop in for a visit>

b : to escape or break away from something (as a point of attachment) usually suddenly or unexpectedly

2

: to make or burst with a sharp sound <a balloon popped>

3

: to protrude from the sockets <eyes popping with amazement>

4

: to shoot with a firearm

5

: to hit a pop fly —often used with up or out

— pop the question

: to propose marriage

Examples of POP

1. We heard the sound of corks popping as the celebration began.
2. One of the buttons popped off my sweater.
3. Guns were popping in the distance.
4. We popped some popcorn in the microwave.
5. The popcorn is done popping.
6. I didn't mean to say that—it just popped out.
7. Her shoulder popped out of its socket.
8. He opened the box, and out popped a mouse.
9. If you are busy, I can pop back in later.
10. My neighbor popped in for a visit.

Origin of POP

Middle English poppen, of imitative origin

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to POP

Synonyms

blow, blow up, burst, crump, detonate, go off, explode

Antonyms

implode

Related Words

fragment, shatter, smash, splinter; discharge, fire, shoot; balloon, burgeon (also bourgeon), mushroom

Near Antonyms

collapse, fizzle

²pop

noun

Definition of POP

1

: a sharp explosive sound

2

: a shot from a gun

3

: soda pop

4

: pop fly

5

: power to hit a baseball hard <a hitter with some pop in his bat>

6

: a drink or shot of alcohol

— a pop

1

: for each one : apiece <tickets at a pop>

2

: for each attempt <rushed for an average of five yards a pop>

First Known Use of POP

1591

³pop

adverb

Definition of POP

: like or with a pop : suddenly —often used interjectionally

First Known Use of POP

1621

⁴pop

noun

Definition of POP

: father

Origin of POP

short for poppa

First Known Use: 1838

⁵pop

adjective

Definition of POP

1

: popular <pop music>: as

a : of or relating to popular music <pop singer>

b : of or relating to the popular culture disseminated through the mass media <pop psychology> <pop grammarians> <pop society>

2

a : of or relating to pop art <pop painter>

b : having, using, or imitating themes or techniques characteristic of pop art <pop movie>

Examples of POP

1. <uninterested in the pop fiction that most of the other publishing houses happily churned out>

Origin of POP

by shortening

First Known Use: 1880

Related to POP

Synonyms

big, crowd-pleasing, du jour, faddish, faddy, fashionable, favorite, happening, hot, in, large, modish, popular, popularized, red-hot, vogue, voguish

Antonyms

out, unfashionable, unpopular

Related Words

semipopular; favorite, preferred, selected; desirable, liked, wanted; celebrated, famed, famous, noted, notorious, prominent, renowned, well-known; fabled, fabulous, legendary; leading, notable, outstanding, prominent, remarkable; important, significant

Near Antonyms

washed-up; despised, detested, disliked, hated, rejected; insignificant, unimportant; indistinguished, unexceptional; anonymous, nameless, obscure, unknown; inconspicuous

⁶pop

noun

Definition of POP

1

: popular music

2

: pop art

3

: pop culture

First Known Use of POP

1935

⁷pop

abbreviation

Definition of POP

population

POP

abbreviation

Definition of POP

point of purchase