bubblegum

American  

[buhb-uhl-guhm] / ˈbʌb əlˌgʌm /

noun

1. a type of chewing gum that can be blown into large bubbles through the lips.

2. Slang. light rock-'n'-roll music characterized by simple, repetitive phrasing and lyrics.

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Etymology

Origin of bubblegum

First recorded in 1935–40; bubble + gum ¹

Example Sentences

He said he always had an entrepreneurial flair, selling bubblegum and popcorn from his Samsonite briefcase at Jamaica High School.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Indeed, Soda Pop, the bubblegum hit by the Saja Boys, has been widely compared to BTS' Butter.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

Meanwhile, seven menacing figures in shaggy bleached-blond wigs are on the loose, looking like the world’s most dangerous bubblegum pop band.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

Inside the canopy, one of the last remaining items was a stuffed Minnie Mouse, her bubblegum pink shoes shaded gray with dirt.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2025

The term pop music can refer to a specific kind of popular music, as in "bubblegum pop."

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones