pops

[ pops ]

/ pɒps /

adjective

of or relating to a symphony orchestra specializing in popular or light classical music: Thursday is pops night on the concert series.

noun

(often initial capital letter) (used with a singular verb) a symphony orchestra specializing in popular and light classical music: When you're in Boston be sure to hear the Pops.

QUIZZES

TAKE THIS QUIZ TO SEE WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL PUNCTUATION!

Commas mark divisions in sentences. Periods end declarative sentences. Apostrophes show possession. Easy, right? Well, punctuation can get pretty tricky—fast. Think you got what it takes to be a punctuation expert? Take our quiz to prove it!

Question 1 of 10

Which of the options below is the best punctuation for the sentence? It__s your turn to pick the movie __ but your sister gets to pick the board game we _ re going to play.

Its your turn to pick the movie but your sister gets to pick the board game we’re going to play.

It’s your turn to pick the movie but your sister gets to pick the board game were going to play.

It’s your turn to pick the movie, but your sister gets to pick the board game we’re going to play.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of pops

First recorded in 1955–60; see origin at pop²

Words nearby pops

poppy family, poppy red, poppy seed, poppycock, poppyhead, pops, popsicle, popster, popstrel, popsy, populace

Definition for pops (2 of 6)

pop¹

[ 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.

regional variation note for pop

19. See soda pop.

Definition for pops (3 of 6)

pop²

[ pop ]

/ pɒp /

adjective

of or relating to popular songs: pop music; pop singers.

of or relating to pop art.

reflecting or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people: pop culture; pop novels.

noun

popular music: It's the first time she's sung pop.

pop art.

Origin of pop

First recorded in 1860–65; shortening of popular

Definition for pops (4 of 6)

pop³

[ pop ]

/ pɒp /

noun Informal.

father.

Origin of pop

First recorded in 1820–30; short form of poppa

Definition for pops (5 of 6)

pop⁴

[ pop ]

/ pɒp /

noun

a frozen ice or ice-cream confection on a stick.

Origin of pop

⁴

probably shortening of Popsicle

Definition for pops (6 of 6)

Whiteman

[ hwahyt-muh n, wahyt- ]

/ ˈʰwaɪt mən, ˈwaɪt- /

noun

PaulPops,1891–1967, U.S. orchestra conductor.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for pops

Behind a chorus of shrill insects, the pops of gunfire can sometimes be heard in the distance.
A Belgian Prince, Gorillas, Guerrillas & the Future of the Congo|Nina Strochlic|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There have also been instances during this air war when combat aircraft are not available in time to strike a target that pops up.
Air Force Pilots Say They're Flying Blind Against ISIS|Dave Majumdar|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He pops from the screen as a charismatic, occasionally messianic “human prism,” as Moss calls him.
The Pastor Who Scandalized His Town|Lloyd Grove|October 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As Dre mulled over how to talk to Andre Jr. (Marcus Scribner) about sex, Pops appeared while his son was stretching.
Why ‘Black-ish’ Has a Gay Problem|Tim Teeman|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

It was the July 1996 issue of the British music magazine Top of the Pops which gave the girls their monikers.
What The Hell is Posh Spice Doing At The UN?|Tom Sykes|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the midst of my troubles, up comes my friend Tickle and pops into the room.
Sheppard Lee, Vol. I (of 2)|Robert Montgomery Bird
Close by the gate is the cutest little house with an old man inside it who pops out and touches his hat.
The Adventures of Sally|P. G. Wodehouse
Cream butter and sugar till it pops; add apple sauce; which turns brown.
Stevenson Memorial Cook Book|Various
"This show is going to open and never close—until it's had a thorough Broadway try-out, Pops," said Mr. Vandeford, quietly.
Blue-grass and Broadway|Maria Thompson Daviess
In picking, the pops should be refused altogether, and the saps and very dark pods go by themselves.
The Peanut Plant|B. W. Jones

British Dictionary definitions for pops (1 of 4)

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 pops (2 of 4)

pop¹

/ (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 pops (3 of 4)

pop²

/ (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 pops (4 of 4)

pop³

/ (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

pops

adjective

noun

QUIZZES

TAKE THIS QUIZ TO SEE WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL PUNCTUATION!

Origin of pops

Words nearby pops

Definition for pops (2 of 6)

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

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

noun

adverb

adjective

Verb Phrases

Origin of pop

SYNONYMS FOR pop

regional variation note for pop

Definition for pops (3 of 6)

adjective

noun

Origin of pop

Definition for pops (4 of 6)

noun Informal.

Origin of pop

Definition for pops (5 of 6)

noun

Origin of pop

Definition for pops (6 of 6)

noun

Words related to pops

Example sentences from the Web for pops

British Dictionary definitions for pops (1 of 4)

abbreviation for

British Dictionary definitions for pops (2 of 4)

verb pops, popping or popped

noun

adverb

interjection

Word Origin for pop

British Dictionary definitions for pops (3 of 4)

noun

adjective

British Dictionary definitions for pops (4 of 4)

noun