First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1pop
verb \ˈpäp\
: to suddenly break open or come away from something often with a short, loud noise
: to make a short, loud noise
: to cook (popcorn)
poppedpop·ping
Full 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
See pop defined for English-language learners
See pop defined for kids
Origin of POP
Middle English poppen, of imitative origin
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
5pop
adjective
: of or relating to things that are popular and often talked about on television, in newspapers, etc.
: of or relating to popular music
Full 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>
See pop defined for English-language learners
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
6pop
noun
7pop
abbreviation
Definition of POP
population
POP
abbreviation
Definition of POP
point of purchase
POP THE QUESTION Defined for Kids
1pop
verb \ˈpäp\
poppedpop·ping
Definition of POP for Kids
1
: to burst or cause to burst with a short loud sound <The balloon popped.>
2
: to cause to open suddenly <Blackbeard slid a hidden button and popped up the lid. — Jon Scieszka, The Not-So-Jolly Roger>
3
: to go, come, or appear suddenly or unexpectedly <Let's pop in for a visit.> <An idea popped into my head.>
4
: to put into or onto quickly or suddenly <I popped a grape into my mouth.>
5
: to stick out <Their eyes were popping with surprise.>
6
: to shoot with a gun
7
: 1hit[1]
2pop
noun
Learn More About POP
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up pop? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).