pop-up

or pop·up

[ pop-uhp ]

/ ˈpɒpˌʌp /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pop-up ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

(of books, usually children's books) having pieces of artwork fastened to the pages so that when the page is opened, a three-dimensional cutout or object is formed and, sometimes, movement of a picture element, such as a door opening, can be activated by pulling a tab.

of or being a device that ejects or raises a finished or used item from the top: a pop-up toaster.

of or relating to a device, mechanism, or object that rises or pivots from a concealed or recessed position to its operating position: a camera with a pop-up electronic flash; a car with pop-up headlights.

popping up, as from an appliance or object: pop-up waffles heated in the toaster; a pop-up gauge for indicating when the turkey is done.

noting or pertaining to a store, restaurant, etc., that temporarily takes over a vacant space and does business there for a short time: a pop-up store selling Halloween costumes.

Computers. appearing suddenly and temporarily in a new window within or on top of an open window: Right-click to get a pop-up menu. There are tools to block pop-up ads.

noun

a pop-up book.

Also called pop-out, popout. something, as a partially cut out or spring-mounted illustration in a children's book, that unfolds or springs up when opened or otherwise activated; pop-out: a Christmas card with a pop-up of Santa Claus.

Baseball. pop fly.

a pop-up store, restaurant, etc.

Computers. a pop-up message, menu, etc.: Press the hotkey and the pop-up will appear.

Nearby words

pop-in, pop-it, pop-out, pop-shop, pop-top, pop-up, pop., popayán, popcorn, popcorn flower, popcorn movie

Origin of pop-up

1860–65 for def 9; noun, adj. use of verb phrase pop up

Definition for pop up (2 of 2)

pop

[ pop ]

/ pɒp /

verb (used without object), popped, pop·ping.

to make a short, quick, explosive sound: The cork popped.

to burst open with such a sound, as chestnuts or corn in roasting.

to come or go quickly, suddenly, or unexpectedly: She popped into the kitchen to check the stove.

to shoot with a firearm: to pop at a mark.

to protrude from the sockets: The news made her eyes pop.

Baseball.

to hit a pop fly (often followed by up).
to pop out.

Informal. to be bright or prominent, especially as against something less distinctive: I love how the colors pop against the neutral walls.

verb (used with object), popped, pop·ping.

to cause to make a sudden, explosive sound.

to cause to burst open with such a sound.

to open suddenly or violently: to pop the hood on a car; to pop the tab on a beer can.

to put or thrust quickly, suddenly, or unexpectedly: He popped the muffins into the oven.

Informal. to cause to fire; discharge: He popped his rifle at the bird.

to shoot (usually followed by at, off, etc.): He popped off bottles with a slingshot.

British Slang. to pawn.

Informal.

to take or swallow (pills), especially in excess or habitually; take orally in a compulsive or addictive way: Popping all those pills will land him in the hospital.
to eat in a continual or thoughtless manner, as snack foods: popping peanuts at the movies.

noun

a short, quick, explosive sound.

a popping.

a shot with a firearm.

Informal. soda pop.

a drink or portion of an alcoholic beverage, as a drink of whiskey or a glass of beer: We had a couple of pops on the way home.

Baseball. pop fly.

Informal. a bright or prominent burst of something: Citrus can add a pop of flavor.

adverb

with an explosive sound: The balloon went pop.

quickly, suddenly, or unexpectedly: Pop, the door flew open!

adjective

Informal. unexpected; without prior warning or announcement: The teacher gave us a pop quiz.

Verb Phrases

pop for, Slang. to pay or buy for oneself or another, especially as a gift or treat; spring for: I'll pop for the first round of drinks.

pop off, Informal.

to die, especially suddenly.
to depart, especially abruptly.
to express oneself volubly or excitedly and sometimes irately or indiscreetly: He popped off about the injustice of the verdict.

pop out, Baseball. to be put out by hitting a pop fly caught on the fly by a player on the opposing team.

pop up, Baseball. to hit a pop fly.

Origin of pop

1375–1425; late Middle English (noun) poppe a blow; (v.) poppen to strike; of expressive orig.

SYNONYMS FOR pop

3 appear, burst.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pop ON THESAURUS.COM

Regional variation note

19. See soda pop.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for pop up (1 of 5)

POP

abbreviation for

point of presence: a device that enables access to the internet

internet post office protocol: a protocol which brings e-mail to and from a mail server

Post Office Preferred (size of envelopes, etc)

persistent organic pollutant

British Dictionary definitions for pop up (2 of 5)

pop-up

adjective

(of an appliance) characterized by or having a mechanism that pops upa pop-up toaster

(of a book) having pages that rise when opened to simulate a three-dimensional form

computing (of a menu on a computer screen, etc) suddenly appearing when an option is selected

(of a shop, restaurant, venue, or other small business) intentionally opening and closing for business within a very short span of timea pop-up shop

verb pop up

(intr, adverb) to appear suddenly from below

noun

computing something that appears over or above the open window on a computer screen

British Dictionary definitions for pop up (3 of 5)

pop

/ (pɒp) /

verb pops, popping or popped

to make or cause to make a light sharp explosive sound

to burst open or cause to burst open with such a sound

(intr; often foll by in, out, etc) informal to come (to) or go (from) rapidly or suddenly; to pay a brief or unexpected visit (to)

(intr) (esp of the eyes) to protrudeher eyes popped with amazement

to shoot or fire at (a target) with a firearm

(tr) to place or put with a sudden movementshe popped some tablets into her mouth

(tr) informal to pawnhe popped his watch yesterday

(tr) slang to take (a drug) in pill form or as an injectionpill popping

pop one's clogs See clog 1 (def. 9)

pop the question informal to propose marriage

noun

a light sharp explosive sound; crack

informal a flavoured nonalcoholic carbonated beverage

informal a try; attempthave a pop at goal

informal an instance of criticismTownsend has had a pop at modern bands

a pop informal each30 million shares at 7 dollars a pop

adverb

with a popping sound

interjection

an exclamation denoting a sharp explosive sound

Word Origin for pop

C14: of imitative origin

British Dictionary definitions for pop up (4 of 5)

pop

/ (pɒp) /

noun

music of general appeal, esp among young people, that originated as a distinctive genre in the 1950s. It is generally characterized by a strong rhythmic element and the use of electrical amplification
(as modifier)pop music; a pop record; a pop group

informal a piece of popular or light classical music

adjective

informal short for popular

British Dictionary definitions for pop up (5 of 5)

pop

/ (pɒp) /

noun

an informal word for father

informal a name used in addressing an old or middle-aged man

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with pop up

pop up

Suddenly appear, as in After a brief warm spell all the flowers popped up, or He's constantly popping up where he's least expected.