shampoo

1 of 2

verb

sham·​poo sham-ˈpü 

shampooed; shampooing; shampoos

transitive verb

1

archaic : massage

2

a

: to wash (something, such as hair) with soap and water or with a special preparation

b

: to wash the hair of

shampooer noun

shampoo

2 of 2

noun

plural shampoos

1

: an act or instance of shampooing

2

: a preparation used in shampooing

Examples of shampoo in a Sentence

Verb

She shampoos her hair every morning.

We need to shampoo the rug.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

After shampooing, work it through the scalp to the ends and leave on for two to five minutes weekly to remove yellow tones, enhance color, and neutralize very light blonde to blonde hair. —Iman Balagam, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2025

Leave it in for at least half an hour or overnight, shampooing it out and conditioning afterward. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 7 Oct. 2025

Noun

This shampoo and conditioner duo from Briogeo’s cult-favorite Don’t Despair, Repair collection is ideal for reviving quenched curls. —Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 18 Nov. 2025

Today, Hair Lounge’s experts treat hair with Mensah’s own line of Manketti oil shampoo, conditioner, finishing mist and pomade. —Katherine Fung, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Hindi & Urdu cā̃po, imperative of cā̃pnā to press, massage

First Known Use

Verb

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shampoo

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

shampoo

1 of 2 verb

sham·​poo sham-ˈpü 

: to wash (as the hair) with soap and water or with a special preparation

shampooer noun

shampoo

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act or instance of shampooing

2

: a cleaner used in shampooing