pop

1 of 8

verb

ˈpäp

popped; popping; pops

Synonyms of pop next

transitive verb

: to strike or knock sharply : hit

popped him in the jaw

: to push, put, or thrust suddenly or briefly

pops a grape into his mouth

She popped her head in the door.

Pop the pastry in the oven for ten minutes.

: to cause to explode or burst open

popped some popcorn

pop the trunk

: to fire at : shoot

: to take (pills) especially frequently or habitually

: to open with a pop

pop a cold beer

: to flip (something) into an upturned position

pop a collar

intransitive verb

: to go, come, or appear suddenly

images popping up on the screen

New businesses are popping up all over town.

((figurative)) We were discussing candidates for the job, and your name popped up.

She popped in for a visit.

We're going to pop next door for a minute.

The idea just popped into my head.

The chipmunk popped out of its burrow.

: to move suddenly from one position or state to another

Her eyes popped open.

When I heard the siren, I popped straight up in bed.

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

The lid keeps popping off of the container.

A couple of screws popped loose.

The instant I felt the front tires lurch forward, I applied some throttle and the truck popped free.—

Slaton L. White

: to be or become striking or prominent

colors that pop

… a mild sauce punctuated with tiny dried shrimp that pop with salinity.—

John Kessler

: to make or burst with a sharp sound

a balloon popped

: to protrude or seem to protrude from the sockets : to open very wide

eyes popping with amazement

: to shoot with a firearm

: to hit a pop fly

—often used with up or out

pop

2 of 8

noun (1)

: a sharp explosive sound

: a shot from a gun

: soda pop

: pop fly

: power to hit a baseball hard

a hitter with some pop in his bat

: a drink or shot of alcohol

: a small portion of something that makes a vivid impression

… clean lines … set off by bright pops of color …—

Catherine Piercy

pop

3 of 8

adverb

: like or with a pop : suddenly

—often used interjectionally

pop

4 of 8

adjective

: popular

pop music

: such as

: of or relating to popular music

pop singer

: of or relating to the popular culture disseminated through the mass media

pop psychology

pop grammarians

pop society

: of or relating to pop art

pop painter

: having, using, or imitating themes or techniques characteristic of pop art

pop movie

pop

6 of 8

noun (3)

: popular music

pops plural : an orchestra that plays light classical and popular music

went to hear the Boston Pops

also : light classical and popular music played typically by an orchestra

a summer pops concert

: pop art

: pop culture

pop

7 of 8

abbreviation (2)

point of purchase

Phrases

pop the question

: to propose marriage

a pop

: for each one : apiece

tickets at $10 a pop

: for each attempt

rushed for an average of five yards a pop

Example Sentences

Verb We heard the sound of corks popping as the celebration began. One of the buttons popped off my sweater. Guns were popping in the distance. We popped some popcorn in the microwave. The popcorn is done popping. I didn't mean to say that—it just popped out. Her shoulder popped out of its socket. He opened the box, and out popped a mouse. If you are busy, I can pop back in later. My neighbor popped in for a visit. Adjective interested in the pop fiction that most of the other publishing houses happily churned out See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But Gene Munster, a veteran tech analyst and managing partner at Deepwater Asset Management, warned Monday that Fed Chairman Jerome Powell could pop tech investors’ bubble this week. —

Bywill Daniel, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2023 Florence felt very doable on my own to walk around, explore and pop into all the cute little shops. —

Hannah Brown, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2023 The new Bing should pop up on the taskbar through an icon within the search box. —

PCMAG, 28 Feb. 2023 The days get longer, the weather warms up, and early spring flowers pop up all around. —

Kathy Barnes, Country Living, 28 Feb. 2023 Within the corporate network of India’s Adani group, the names of some people pop up again and again, linked to multiple offshore entities of unclear purpose or labyrinthine structure. —

Samanth Subramanian, Quartz, 27 Feb. 2023 Each one contains 15mg of natural, safe-to-use CBD in delicious fruity flavors - simply pop them into your pocket or bag to enjoy discreetly at home or on the go! —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 27 Feb. 2023 Lastly details clearly pop from the PlayStation Vita’s smaller screen which looks superior to the LCD. —

Hunter Fenollol, Popular Mechanics, 27 Feb. 2023 Errors can pop up because of the data that’s used (the internet is hardly immune from falsehoods) or the computer code. —

Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2023

Adjective

For the first time, the audience learns a bit more about Dre’s origins as the cult’s leader — played by pop-rock singer Billie Eilish — breaks through Dre’s shell. —

Demetrius Patterson, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2023 For March 16 This is a pop rock and soft rock song. —

Kris Holt, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2023 Avril Lavigne’s fashion sense has always perfectly aligned with her pop-punk music: Her wardrobe is all about embodying an edgy, rock and roll attitude. —

Christian Allaire, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2023 Futuristic interview:Why one of Arizona's biggest rappers has taken a pop-punk holiday Reach the reporter at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4495. —

Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 3 Mar. 2023 Nessa Barrett’s music is a pop-rock X-ray of her psyche. —

Olivia Mccormack, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2023 Following the pop superstar’s appearance at GCDS’ fashion show, fans on Twitter went wild for Lipa’s sheer, lacy look. —

Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 23 Feb. 2023 Check out these 30 pop-punk throwback songs that will seriously hype you up. —

Jenny Mccoy, SELF, 22 Feb. 2023 In February, the Grammy-winning pop-punk band released its sixth studio album, This Is Why, after a six-year hiatus. —

Ariana Marsh, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 Feb. 2023

Noun

Malört has also made quite a name for itself in pop culture. —

Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 24 Mar. 2023 Giant Robot Established in 2001, the Los Angeles shop features products from around the world, notably Asian pop culture products, including fun housewares, gifts, stationeries, T-shirts, comics, plush and toy figures. —

Shanon Maglente, Good Housekeeping, 24 Mar. 2023 Samantha Olson Assistant Editor Sam is an assistant editor at Seventeen, covering pop culture, celebrity news, health, and beauty. —

Samantha Olson, Seventeen, 24 Mar. 2023 Media and pop culture tells us that love is about feelings. —

Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 24 Mar. 2023 Contact Detroit Free Press pop culture critic Julie Hinds at jhinds@freepress.com. —

Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 24 Mar. 2023 Even with Coxon’s rejection of the spotlight, his battles with mental health and alcoholism are indie pop culture fodder. —

Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 23 Mar. 2023 Garnish the roasted potatoes with fresh herbs (if using) and serve with the dipping sauce on the side. BTS fans, this one's for you:The Korean pop culture phenomenon changed how boba shops do business Questions or comments? —

Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 23 Mar. 2023 With the re-emergence of the female hip hop duos fueling pop culture like the City Girls, Bettie Gang Twinz, Cam, and China, shows like HBO Max's Rap Sh!t chronicles the rise of female emcees through a more comical perspective. —

Yolanda Baruch, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pop.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.