pooh-pooh

verb

ˈpü-(ˌ)pü How to pronounce pooh-pooh (audio)
pü-ˈpü
variants or less commonly poo-poo or pooh
pooh-poohed also poohed; pooh-poohing also poohing; pooh-poohs also poohs

intransitive verb

: to express contempt or impatience

transitive verb

: to express contempt for or make light of : play down, dismiss
pooh-pooher noun
or less commonly poo-pooer
plural pooh-poohers also poo-pooers
Despite what chief Providence pooh-pooher Jack Thomas writes in the Globe, I say the place is worth regular visits, especially after a day at the beach in southern Rhode Island. Paul Fischer

Examples of pooh-pooh in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Still others pooh-pooh the suggestion that British voters would make decisions at the ballot box based on the political direction of another country, even one as close and influential as the United States. Mark Landler, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pooh-pooh.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

pooh

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of pooh-pooh was in 1823

Dictionary Entries Near pooh-pooh

Cite this Entry

“Pooh-pooh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pooh-pooh. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pooh-pooh

verb
ˈpü-pü,
pü-ˈpü
variants also pooh
ˈpü
1
: to express scorn or impatience
2
: to treat with scorn : deride
pooh-pooh the idea of ghosts

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