to make a short, quick, explosive sound: The cork popped.
to burst open with such a sound, as chestnuts or corn in roasting.
to come or go quickly, suddenly, or unexpectedly: She popped into the kitchen to check the stove.
to shoot with a firearm: to pop at a mark.
to protrude from the sockets: The news made her eyes pop.
Baseball.
to hit a pop fly (often followed by up).
to pop out.
Informal. to be bright or prominent, especially as against something less distinctive: I love how the colors pop against the neutral walls.
verb (used with object),popped,pop·ping.
to cause to make a sudden, explosive sound.
to cause to burst open with such a sound.
to open suddenly or violently: to pop the hood on a car; to pop the tab on a beer can.
to put or thrust quickly, suddenly, or unexpectedly: He popped the muffins into the oven.
Informal. to cause to fire; discharge: He popped his rifle at the bird.
to shoot (usually followed by at, off, etc.): He popped off bottles with a slingshot.
BritishSlang. to pawn.
Informal.
to take or swallow (pills), especially in excess or habitually; take orally in a compulsive or addictive way: Popping all those pills will land him in the hospital.
to eat in a continual or thoughtless manner, as snack foods: popping peanuts at the movies.
noun
a short, quick, explosive sound.
a popping.
a shot with a firearm.
Informal. soda pop.
a drink or portion of an alcoholic beverage, as a drink of whiskey or a glass of beer: We had a couple of pops on the way home.
Baseball. pop fly.
Informal. a bright or prominent burst of something: Citrus can add a pop of flavor.
adverb
with an explosive sound: The balloon went pop.
quickly, suddenly, or unexpectedly: Pop, the door flew open!
adjective
Informal. unexpected; without prior warning or announcement: The teacher gave us a pop quiz.
Verb Phrases
pop for,Informal. to pay or buy for oneself or another, especially as a gift or treat; spring for:I'll pop for the first round of drinks.
pop in,Informal. to visit briefly and unexpectedly; stop in; drop by: Maybe we'll pop in after the movie.
pop off,Informal.
to die, especially suddenly.
to depart, especially abruptly.
to express oneself volubly or excitedly and sometimes irately or indiscreetly: He popped off about the injustice of the verdict.
pop out,Baseball. to be put out by hitting a pop fly caught on the fly by a player on the opposing team.
pop up,Baseball. to hit a pop fly.
Idioms for pop
a pop, Slang. each; apiece: five orchids at $30 a pop.
pop the question, Informal. to propose marriage: They dated for two years before he popped the question.
Origin of pop
1
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English verb poppen “to strike”; of expressive origin
SYNONYMS FOR pop
3 appear, burst.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR pop ON THESAURUS.COM
regional variation note for pop
19. See soda pop.
Words nearby pop
poor white trash, poor-will, Pooterish, pootle, poove, pop, pop art, Popayán, pop concert, popcorn, popcorn flower
Definition for pop (2 of 8)
pop2
[ pop ]
/ pɒp /
adjective
of or relating to popular songs: pop music; pop singers.
of or relating to pop art.
reflecting or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people: pop culture; pop novels.
noun
popular music: It's the first time she's sung pop.
pop art.
Origin of pop
2
First recorded in 1860–65; shortening of popular
Definition for pop (3 of 8)
pop3
[ pop ]
/ pɒp /
nounInformal.
father.
Origin of pop
3
First recorded in 1820–30; short form of poppa
Definition for pop (4 of 8)
pop4
[ pop ]
/ pɒp /
noun
a frozen ice or ice-cream confection on a stick: Two lemon pops, please.
informalan instance of criticismTownsend has had a pop at modern bands
a popinformaleach30 million shares at 7 dollars a pop
adverb
with a popping sound
interjection
an exclamation denoting a sharp explosive sound
See also pop off, pop-up
Word Origin for pop
C14: of imitative origin
British Dictionary definitions for pop (2 of 5)
pop2
/ (pɒp) /
noun
music of general appeal, esp among young people, that originated as a distinctive genre in the 1950s. It is generally characterized by a strong rhythmic element and the use of electrical amplification
(as modifier)pop music; a pop record; a pop group
informala piece of popular or light classical music
adjective
informal short for popular
British Dictionary definitions for pop (3 of 5)
pop3
/ (pɒp) /
noun
an informal word for father
informala name used in addressing an old or middle-aged man
British Dictionary definitions for pop (4 of 5)
POP
abbreviation for
point of presence: a device that enables access to the internet
internetpost office protocol: a protocol which brings e-mail to and from a mail server