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pop 1 (pŏp)
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v. popped, pop·ping, pops
v.intr.
1. To make a short, sharp, explosive sound.
2. To burst open with a short, sharp, explosive sound.
3. To move quickly or unexpectedly; appear abruptly: At last the cottage popped into view.
4. To open wide suddenly: The child's eyes popped with astonishment.
5. To have the eustachian tubes open suddenly, equalizing pressure on both sides of the eardrum in response to changes in atmospheric pressure, as in a descending airplane: After I swallowed, my ears popped.
6. Baseball To hit a short high fly ball, especially one that can be caught by an infielder: popped out to shortstop.
7. To shoot a firearm, such as a pistol.
8.
a. To be exciting: a club that really pops at night.
b. To be visually striking: a logo that really pops.
v.tr.
1. To cause to make a sharp bursting sound.
2. To cause to open with a sharp bursting sound: popped the hood of the car to check the oil.
3. To cause to explode with a sharp bursting sound: popped the balloon.
4. To put or thrust suddenly or unexpectedly: "popping a crisp plump shrimp into her mouth" (Kathleen Winsor).
5.
a. To discharge (a firearm).
b. To fire at; shoot.
6. To hit or strike: popped me on the head.
7. Baseball To hit (a ball) high in the air but not far.
8. To release (a clutch) suddenly.
9. Slang
a. To take (drugs), especially orally: "To calm a case of the jitters ... the bride popped Valium" (People).
b. To have (a drink): popped a few beers after work.
10. Slang To take into legal custody; arrest: "Her friend was visiting and got popped for a DUI while he was driving her car" (Jamie Harrison).
n.
1. A sudden sharp, explosive sound.
2. A shot with a firearm.
3. Chiefly Midwestern US See soft drink. See Note at tonic.
4. Baseball A pop fly.
adv.
1. With a popping sound.
2. Abruptly or unexpectedly.
Phrasal Verbs:
pop for
Informal To pay for: I'll pop for the video if you buy some snacks.
pop in (or by)
Informal To visit briefly: just popped in to say hello.
pop off Informal
1. To leave abruptly or hurriedly.
2. To die suddenly.
3. To speak thoughtlessly in a burst of released anger.
Idioms:
a pop
Slang Apiece; each: Tickets to the benefit were $100 a pop.
pop the question Informal
To propose marriage.
[Middle English poppen, from pop, a blow, stroke, of imitative origin.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 
pop 2 (pŏp)
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n.
Informal
Father.
[Short for PAPA.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 
pop 3 (pŏp) Informal
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adj.
1. Of or for the general public; popular or popularized: pop culture; pop psychology.
2. Of, relating to, or specializing in popular music: a pop singer.
3. Of or suggestive of pop art: a pop style.
n.
1. Popular music.
2. Pop art.
[Short for POPULAR.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 
pop.
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abbr.
population
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 
POP
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abbr.
1. Computers point of presence
2. point of purchase
3. proof of purchase
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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