lollipop

American  

[lol-ee-pop] / ˈlɒl iˌpɒp /

Or lollypop

noun

• lollipops
  plural

1. a piece of hard candy attached to the end of a small stick that is held in the hand while the candy is licked.

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lollipop British  

/ ˈlɒlɪˌpɒp /

noun

1. a boiled sweet or toffee stuck on a small wooden stick

2. another word for ice lolly

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• lollipops
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of lollipop

1785–95; dial. lolly tongue + pop ¹

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Explanation

A lollipop is hard candy on a stick that you lick or suck. You may suck on a lollipop and be surprised to find candy or gum in its center. Bonus! Some lollipops are small, round, and fruity, while others are swirls of color as big as your head. Still other lollipops are long and skinny, or filled with liquid or bubble gum centers. The thing they all have in common is the stick you hold while eating them. Guesses about the origin of the lolli or lolly part of this word include to loll, or "dangle" the tongue, or the north England dialect "tongue" meaning of lolly.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lollipop lollipops

Despite briefly retiring at 70, it wasn't long before he returned to the lollipop at Sale High School, where he has been working ever since - for more than 17 years.

From BBC ● Apr. 2, 2026

Peterborough City Council announced cuts to crossing patrols at primary schools in Eye, Old Fletton, Newark Hill and Werrington to save money, leaving lollipop men and women redundant.

From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2025

This pubescent Vance has been adorned with a rainbow propeller hat and a swirly lollipop, morphed into a patriotic Minion from Despicable Me, and rendered as lisping Hans Landa, the Nazi villain from Inglourious Basterds.

From Slate ● Mar. 5, 2025

As the likes accrue, it’s hard not to be envious, or at least intrigued, by influencers splayed atop a lollipop swing on TikTok.

From Slate ● Nov. 30, 2024

But Joe was already sucking on the blueberry lollipop he’d picked.

From "Mystery Map (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #3)" by Franklin W. Dixon

She bought lollipops and a teddy bear, and by 10 a.m. she had set up shop outside a campus dining hall where she consoled students Sunday morning with offers of “free mom hugs.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 14, 2025

Horse lollipops are unlikely to feature on the menu for Craig Bellamy and his players this week.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2025

At the bottom of the list, along with chewy sugar candies, are pure sugar candies such as lollipops, Jolly Ranchers, gummies and Smarties.

From Salon ● Oct. 29, 2024

During Vodou ceremonies, lwa are offered treats ranging from papayas and coffee to popcorn, lollipops and cheese puffs.

From Seattle Times ● May 9, 2024

The candy lady's small living room is filled with shelves and shelves of chocolate bars and gumdrops, Good & Plenty and Jujubes, Moon Pies and Necco Wafers, lollipops and long red licorice strings.

From "Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson

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