shoo

[shoo]

interjection

1. (used to scare or drive away a cat, dog, chickens, birds, etc.)

verb (used with object)

shooed, shooing 

1. to drive away by saying or shouting “shoo.”

2. to request or force (a person) to leave.

   I'll have to shoo you out of here now.

verb (used without object)

shooed, shooing 

1. to call out “shoo.”

shoo

/ ʃuː /

interjection

1. go away!: used to drive away unwanted or annoying people, animals, etc

verb

1. (tr) to drive away by or as if by crying "shoo."

2. (intr) to cry "shoo."

Word History and Origins

Origin of shoo¹

1475–85; earlier showe, shough, shooh, ssou (interjection), imitative; compare German schu

Word History and Origins

Origin of shoo¹

C15: imitative; related to Middle High German schū, French shou, Italian scio

Example Sentences

In some cases, residents have tried to shoo away dogs from feeding spots to discourage people from providing them food.

From BBC

It had been spooked by neighbors who were making noise to shoo it away.

From Los Angeles Times

Most people are inclined to shoo flies away from food, and the thought of maggots in your bins is enough to make anyone's stomach turn.

From BBC

It's a bit too early for a drink, though, so Sir Rod orders up a venti coffee, shooing away an over-eager assistant who attempts to stir in his sugar.

From BBC

The grave became a place of veneration, then a site of controversy in the early 2000s when Little Round Top’s owner began to shoo away the curious.

From Los Angeles Times