/ pɒp; NAmE pɑːp/ noun , verb , adjective , adverb
■ noun
MUSIC
1.
(also ˈpop music ) [ U ] modern popular music of the sort that has been popular since the 1950s, usually with a strong rhythm and simple tunes :
rock, pop and soul
FATHER
2.
[ sing. ] ( informal , especially NAmE ) used as a word for 'father', especially as a form of address :
Hi, Pop!
SOUND
3.
[ C ] a short sharp explosive sound :
The cork came out of the bottle with a loud pop.
DRINK
4.
[ U ] ( old-fashioned , BrE , informal ) a sweet fizzy drink (= with bubbles) that is not alcoholic
•
IDIOMS
- have / take a pop (at sb)
- ... a pop
■ verb
( -pp- )
MAKE SOUND
1.
to make a short explosive sound; to cause sth to make this sound :
[ v ]
the sound of corks popping
[also vn ]
2.
to burst, or make sth burst, with a short explosive sound :
[ vn ]
She jumped as someone popped a balloon behind her.
[also v ]
GO QUICKLY
3.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] ( BrE , informal ) to go somewhere quickly, suddenly or for a short time :
I'll pop over and see you this evening.
Why don't you pop in (= visit us) for a drink next time you're in the area?
PUT QUICKLY
4.
[ vn + adv. / prep. ] ( informal , especially BrE ) to put sth somewhere quickly, suddenly or for a short time :
He popped his head around the door and said hello.
I'll pop the books in (= deliver them) on my way home.
Pop your bag on here.
APPEAR SUDDENLY
5.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] to suddenly appear, especially when not expected :
The window opened and a dog's head popped out.
An idea suddenly popped into his head.
( computing )
The menu pops up when you click twice on the mouse.
OF EARS
6.
[ v ] if your ears pop when you are going up or down in a plane, etc., the pressure in them suddenly changes
OF EYES
7.
[ v ] if your eyes pop or pop out , they suddenly open fully because you are surprised or excited :
Her eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw them.
TAKE DRUGS
8.
[ vn ] ( informal ) to take a lot of a drug, regularly :
She's been popping pills for months.
•
IDIOMS
- pop your clogs
- pop the question
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- pop off
- pop sth on
■ adjective
[ only before noun ]
MUSIC / STYLE
1.
connected with modern popular music :
a pop song
a pop band / group
a pop star
a pop concert
2.
made in a modern popular style :
pop culture
■ adverb
•
IDIOMS
- go pop
••
WORD ORIGIN
noun senses 3 to 4 and verb adverb and idsym. pvsym. late Middle English (in the senses a blow, knock and to strike ): imitative.
noun sense 1 and adjective late 19th cent.: abbreviation of popular .
noun sense 2 mid 19th cent.: abbreviation of poppa .