goo

American  

[goo] / gu /

noun

Informal.

1. a thick or sticky substance.

   Wash that goo off your hands.

2. maudlin sentimentality.

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goo British  

/ ɡuː /

noun

1. a sticky or viscous substance

2. coy or sentimental language or ideas

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Etymology

Origin of goo

1910–15, perhaps short for burgoo

Explanation

Any kind of drippy, yucky, gunky stuff can be called goo. Some people love tapioca pudding, while others feel that it's nothing but lumpy goo. The filling in a donut is one kind of goo — custard or jelly that oozes out when you take a bite. An unidentified blob of slime on the sidewalk or the glistening trail left behind by a slug, are other, much less appealing kinds of goo. Goo was coined in the US, but its origins beyond that are unclear. Many experts think gooey came first, possibly shortened from the now-obsolete burgoo, or "porridge."

Example Sentences

The images are synced to the Goo Goo Dolls’ song, Iris, which is experiencing an enormous burst of popularity, hanging out in the top 25 Global Hits on Spotify for months.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Gosling stayed in character for the most part as an annoyed hotel patron who’s been overcharged for visits from the “Goo Goo Man.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2026

Appelhans is married to Korean American author Maureen Goo, who provided inspiration to how Rumi is seen practically inhaling a roll of kimbap instead of eating it one at a time in slices.

From Salon • Jun. 27, 2025

Sulli had offended fans for not conforming to the K-pop mould, while an internet mob had targeted Goo Hara over her relationship with an ex-boyfriend.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2025

She puts the old coats from the pram on the floor and Alphie lies there with his sugary water and says Goo goo and smiles.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt

Related Words

• gunk
• muck
• sludge