po m-pom (pom-poms ) also pompom , pom-pom N‑COUNT A pom-pom is a ball of threads which is used to decorate things such as hats or furniture. In the United States, cheerleaders wave large pom-poms at football matches.
pom|pos|ity /pɒmpɒ s I ti/ (pomposities ) N‑UNCOUNT Pomposity means speaking or behaving in a very serious manner which shows that you think you are more important than you really are. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He hated pomposity and disliked being called a genius.
pomp|ous /pɒ mpəs/
1 ADJ If you describe someone as pompous , you mean that they behave or speak in a very serious way because they think they are more important than they really are. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. ● pomp|ous|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Robin said pompously that he had an important business appointment.
2 ADJ A pompous building or ceremony is very grand and elaborate. □ The service was grand without being pompous.
ponce /pɒ ns/ (ponces , poncing , ponced )
1 N‑COUNT A ponce is the same as a pimp . [BRIT , INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ]
2 N‑COUNT If you call a man a ponce , you are insulting him because you think the way he dresses or behaves is too feminine. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE , DISAPPROVAL ]
▸ ponce around in BRIT, also use ponce about PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone is poncing around or poncing about , you mean that they are not doing something properly, quickly, or seriously. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P ] I spent my working life poncing around on a beach instead of doing a proper job.
poncey /pɒ nsi/ also poncy ADJ If you say that someone or something is poncey , you mean you do not like them because they are too feminine or artistic. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a poncy male model.
pon|cho /pɒ ntʃoʊ/ (ponchos ) N‑COUNT A poncho is a piece of clothing that consists of a long piece of material, usually wool, with a hole cut in the middle through which you put your head. Some ponchos have a hood.
pond /pɒ nd/ (ponds )
1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A pond is a small area of water that is smaller than a lake. Ponds are often made artificially. □ She chose a bench beside the duck pond and sat down.
2 N‑SING People sometimes refer to the Atlantic Ocean as the pond . [mainly JOURNALISM ] □ Usually, the presentation is made on the other side of the pond.
pon|der /pɒ ndə r / (ponders , pondering , pondered ) VERB If you ponder something, you think about it carefully. □ [V n] I found myself constantly pondering the question: 'How could anyone do these things?' □ [V + on/over ] The Prime Minister pondered on when to go to the polls. □ [V wh] I'm continually pondering how to improve the team. [Also V ]
pon|der|ous /pɒ ndərəs/
1 ADJ Ponderous writing or speech is very serious, uses more words than necessary, and is rather dull. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He had a dense, ponderous style. ● pon|der|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Lewis’s style as historian and critic is never dull or ponderously academic.
2 ADJ A movement or action that is ponderous is very slow or clumsy. [WRITTEN ] □ His steps were heavy and ponderous. ● pon|der|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Wilson shifted ponderously in his chair.
pong /pɒ ŋ, [AM ] pɔː ŋ/ (pongs ) N‑COUNT A pong is an unpleasant smell. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ …the pong of milk and sick and nappies.
pon|tiff /pɒ nt I f/ (pontiffs ) N‑COUNT The Pontiff is the Pope. [FORMAL ] □ The Pontiff celebrated mass in Mexico City.
pon|tifi|cate (pontificates , pontificating , pontificated ) The verb is pronounced /pɒnt I f I ke I t/. The noun is pronounced /pɒnt I f I kət/. 1 VERB If someone pontificates about something, they state their opinions as if they are the only correct ones and nobody could possibly argue against them. [FORMAL ] □ [V + about/on ] Politicians like to pontificate about falling standards. [Also V ]
2 N‑COUNT The pontificate of a pope is the period of time during which he is pope. □ Pope Formosus died after a pontificate of four and a half years.
pon|toon /pɒ ntuː n/ (pontoons ) N‑COUNT A pontoon is a floating platform, often one used to support a bridge. □ …a pontoon bridge.
pony /poʊ ni/ (ponies ) N‑COUNT A pony is a type of small horse.
pony|tail /poʊ nite I l/ (ponytails ) also pony-tail N‑COUNT A ponytail is a hairstyle in which someone's hair is tied up at the back of the head and hangs down like a tail. □ Her long, fine hair was swept back in a ponytail.
poo /puː / (poos ) N‑VAR Poo is a child's word for faeces. [INFORMAL ]
pooch /puː tʃ/ (pooches ) N‑COUNT A pooch is a dog. [JOURNALISM , INFORMAL ]
poo|dle /puːd ə l/ (poodles ) N‑COUNT A poodle is a type of dog with thick curly hair.
poof /pʊ f/ (poofs ) also pouf
1 N‑COUNT A poof is a homosexual man. [BRIT , INFORMAL , OFFENSIVE ]
2 EXCLAM Some people say poof to indicate that something happened very suddenly. □ They approach, embrace, and poof!, they disappear in a blinding flash of light.
poof|ter /pʊ ftə r / (poofters ) N‑COUNT A poofter is a homosexual man. [BRIT , INFORMAL , OFFENSIVE ]