4 VERB If something pops , it makes a short sharp sound. □ [V ] He untwisted the wire off the champagne bottle, and the cork popped and shot to the ceiling.
5 VERB If your eyes pop , you look very surprised or excited when you see something. [INFORMAL ] □ [V ] My eyes popped at the sight of the rich variety of food on show.
6 VERB If you pop something somewhere, you put it there quickly. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n prep/adv] He plucked a purple grape from the bunch and popped it in his mouth.
7 VERB If you pop somewhere, you go there for a short time. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V adv/prep] Wendy popped in for a quick bite to eat on Monday night.
8 N‑COUNT Some people call their father pop . [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ I looked at Pop and he had big tears in his eyes. in BRIT, usually use dad 9 to pop the question → see question
▸ pop up
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone or something pops up , they appear in a place or situation unexpectedly. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] She was startled when Lisa popped up at the door all smiles.
2 → see also pop-up
POP /piː oʊ piː / (POPs ) N‑COUNT A POP is equipment that gives access to the internet. POP is an abbreviation for 'point of presence'. [COMPUTING ]
pop. /pɒ p/ pop. is an abbreviation for population . It is used before a number when indicating the total population of a city or country. □ Somalia, pop. 7.9 million, income per head about £1.60 a week.
po p art N‑UNCOUNT Pop art is a style of modern art which began in the 1960s. It uses bright colours and takes a lot of its techniques and subject matter from everyday, modern life.
pop|corn /pɒ pkɔː r n/ N‑UNCOUNT Popcorn is a snack which consists of grains of maize or corn that have been heated until they have burst and become large and light. It can be eaten with salt or sometimes sugar.
pope /poʊ p/ (popes ) N‑COUNT The Pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church. □ …the Pope's message to the people. □ …Pope John Paul II.
pop|lar /pɒ plə r / (poplars ) N‑VAR A poplar or a poplar tree is a type of tall thin tree.
pop|lin /pɒ pl I n/ N‑UNCOUNT Poplin is a type of cotton material used to make clothes.
pop|pa|dom /pɒ pədɒm/ (poppadoms ) N‑COUNT A poppadom is a very thin circular crisp made from a mixture of flour and water, which is fried in oil. Poppadoms are usually eaten with Indian food.
pop|per /pɒ pə r / (poppers ) N‑COUNT A popper is a device for fastening clothes. It consists of two pieces of plastic or metal which you press together. [BRIT ] in AM, use snap fastener , snap
pop|py /pɒ pi/ (poppies )
1 N‑COUNT A poppy is a plant with a large, delicate flower, usually red in colour. The drug opium is obtained from one type of poppy. □ …a field of poppies.
2 N‑COUNT In Britain, on a particular day in November, people wear an artificial poppy in memory of the people who died in the two world wars. □ …a wreath of poppies.
Pop|si|cle /pɒ ps I k ə l/ (Popsicles ) N‑COUNT A Popsicle is a piece of flavoured ice or ice cream on a stick. [AM , TRADEMARK ] in BRIT, use ice lolly
popu|lace /pɒ pjʊləs/ N‑UNCOUNT The populace of a country is its people. [FORMAL ] □ …a large proportion of the populace.
popu|lar ◆◆◇ /pɒ pjʊlə r /
1 ADJ Something that is popular is enjoyed or liked by a lot of people. □ This is the most popular ball game ever devised. □ Chocolate sauce is always popular with youngsters. ● popu|lar|ity /pɒ pjʊlæ r I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] □ [+ of ] …the growing popularity of coconut oil. □ Walking and golf increased in popularity during the 1980s.
2 ADJ Someone who is popular is liked by most people, or by most people in a particular group. □ He remained the most popular politician in France. ● popu|lar|ity N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] □ [+ with ] It is his popularity with ordinary people that sets him apart.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Popular newspapers, television programmes, or forms of art are aimed at ordinary people and not at experts or intellectuals. □ Once again the popular press in Britain has been rife with stories about their marriage. □ …one of the classics of modern popular music.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Popular ideas, feelings, or attitudes are approved of or held by most people. □ The military government has been unable to win popular support. ● popu|lar|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ Over time, though, Watson's views gained in popularity.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] Popular is used to describe political activities which involve the ordinary people of a country, and not just members of political parties. □ The late President Ferdinand Marcos was overthrown by a popular uprising in 1986.
popu|lar|ize /pɒ pjʊləra I z/ (popularizes , popularizing , popularized ) in BRIT, also use popularise VERB To popularize something means to make a lot of people interested in it and able to enjoy it. □ [V n] The Victorians popularized rhubarb in fools and crumbles. ● popu|lari|za|tion /pɒ pjʊləra I ze I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the popularisation of sport through television.