shampoo

[ sham-poo ]

verb (used with object)

, sham·pooed, sham·poo·ing.

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.

noun

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

shampoo

/ 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

verb

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

Derived Forms

• shamˈpooer, noun

Other Words From

• sham·pooer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of shampoo¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of shampoo¹

C18: from Hindi chāmpo, from chāmpnā to knead

Example Sentences

A big drive in the industry is for both less harsh and harsh chemicals in shampoos but also to do so in a way that’s sustainable.

From TechCrunch

For context, the top ecommerce seller in beauty of 2018 was shampoo.

From MIT Technology Review

It’s a no-brainer, Santini brainstormed, that soon the kid Cartersville has known for such a while, all grown up, will be alongside Patrick Mahomes and Troy Polamalu in those ads for, of course, shampoo.

From Washington Post

The test could be simply sniffing your morning cup of coffee or the shampoo you use in the shower.

From No Straight News

These chemicals cost little to make and often show up in soaps and shampoos.

From Science News For Students

The idea of a soap being advertised as gluten-free struck me as ludicrous—roughly on par with a shampoo proclaiming to be low fat.

From The Daily Beast

Lo and behold, hydrolyzed wheat protein showed up in some shampoo and conditioner I had in my own house.

From The Daily Beast

While “at home, Mr. Jordan uses a shampoo and conditioner from Herbal Essences that happens to be pink,” WSJ reports.

From The Daily Beast

The family, villagers, and the Taliban were even incensed by a shampoo commercial, featuring Humira, which played on television.

From The Daily Beast

Hair makes a pretty good sponge for oil—why do you think you have to use shampoo?

From The Daily Beast

A good lather is applied all over the body with good friction by the means of a shampoo brush and soap.

From Project Gutenberg

Twice a week he should be given a thorough soap shampoo (also described in the Appendix).

From Project Gutenberg

Two charming girls, radiant and lovely, raised their voices in grateful song, hymning the virtues of Rayglo Shampoo.

From Project Gutenberg

We fear that we shall not find time to shampoo your cat, as we shall be so busy taking care of our own.

From Project Gutenberg

I don't think there is anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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