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

Many bald Black women swear by shampooing their scalp with a light product to remove sweat, oil, and general buildup. —Essence, 24 Sep. 2025

Key ingredients: Prickly pear oil, ceramides, vitamin F complex How to use: Apply a small amount after shampooing, leave on for five to 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. —Malia Griggs, Glamour, 25 Aug. 2025

Noun

So, which clarifying shampoo is best for you? —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025

Aküzüm listed early customers in pulp and paper, textiles, pigments, and consumer products such as shampoos and detergents. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 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