shampoo

American  

[sham-poo] / ʃæmˈpu /

verb (used with object)

shampooed, shampooing

1. to wash (the head or hair), especially with a cleaning preparation that does not leave a soap film.

2. to clean (rugs, upholstery, or the like) with a special preparation.

3. Archaic. to massage.

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noun

1. the act of shampooing.

2. a preparation used for shampooing, especially one that does not leave a soap film.

shampoo British  

/ ʃæmˈpuː /

noun

1. a liquid or cream preparation of soap or detergent to wash the hair

2. a similar preparation for washing carpets, etc

3. the process of shampooing

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verb

1. (tr) to wash (the hair, etc) with such a preparation

Other Word Forms

• shampooer noun

Etymology

Origin of shampoo

1755–65; earlier champo to massage < an inflected form of Hindi cāmpnā literally, to press

Example Sentences

I turn on the one next to her, crank it to almost scalding, and squeeze some shampoo from the dispenser into my hand.

From Literature

When you book a hotel room, you can count on some things, like shampoo, a hot shower and some way to get a cup of coffee.

From The Wall Street Journal

Petroleum is used to make thousands of products, from golf balls to children’s toys and shampoo.

From The Wall Street Journal

A single distribution network that served them with small packets of shampoo as well as jars of mayo made sense.

From The Wall Street Journal

When Americans are out shopping these days, they are more likely to be buying Botox or boxing lessons than shoes or shampoo.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bathe
• brush
• cleanse
• clear up
• disinfect
• dredge
• dust
• mop
• pick
• pick up
• rinse
• scrape
• scrub
• soak
• spruce up
• sweep
• vacuum
• wash
• wipe