# pop /ˈpɑp/ (US) · /pˈɒp/ (UK) Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pop Updated: 2026-06-19 ## Senses ### 1. to make a sharp sound verb · CEFR A2 to make a short, loud sound like a balloon breaking. For teachers: to produce a short, explosive sound, often as a result of internal pressure or sudden release. - The popcorn started to pop in the microwave after two minutes. - The champagne cork popped loudly, drawing the attention of everyone in the crowded dining room. ### 2. to move or go quickly verb · CEFR B1 · British English · Informal to go somewhere quickly or for a short time. For teachers: to move or go somewhere suddenly or briefly; often used with 'in', 'out', or 'over'. - I'm just going to pop to the shop to buy some milk. - She decided to pop into the office on her way home to ensure the documents had been filed correctly. Usage: Often used with prepositions like 'in', 'out', or 'to'. ### 3. to put something somewhere verb · CEFR B1 · British English · Informal to put something in a place quickly or easily. For teachers: to place or position an object with a quick, casual movement. - Just pop your coat on the chair and come into the kitchen. - If you pop the tray in the oven now, dinner should be ready by the time the guests arrive. ### 4. to stand out verb · CEFR B2 to look very bright or clear so that people notice it. For teachers: to be visually prominent or distinctive, especially due to high contrast or bright colour. - The red flowers really pop against the green grass. - The designer added a yellow scarf to the outfit to make the entire ensemble pop for the photoshoot. ### 5. a sharp sound noun · CEFR A2 a short, sharp sound. For teachers: a sudden, sharp, explosive acoustic event. - We heard a loud pop and then the light went out. - The sudden pop of a circuit breaker echoed through the silent basement, plunging the house into darkness. ### 6. fizzy drink noun · CEFR A2 · American English · British English · Dialect a sweet drink with bubbles. For teachers: a carbonated, non-alcoholic beverage. - Would you like a glass of orange pop with your lunch? - The children were allowed to have a bottle of pop as a special treat during the summer fair. Teaching tip: Usage is highly regional; 'pop' is common in the UK and parts of the US Midwest, while 'soda' or 'coke' is preferred elsewhere. ### 7. father noun · CEFR B1 · Informal a friendly name for your father. For teachers: an informal or endearing term for one's father. - My pop always told me to work hard and be kind. - He went to visit his old pop at the weekend to help him with some gardening work. ### 8. music style noun · CEFR A2 a type of modern music that is very popular. For teachers: a genre of popular music that originated in its modern form during the mid-1950s. - She loves listening to pop because the songs are easy to sing. - The festival features a mix of indie rock and mainstream pop to appeal to a wider demographic. ### 9. popular culture adjective · CEFR B1 related to things that are popular with many people, like music or movies. For teachers: relating to or characteristic of popular culture as intended for a general audience. - He is an expert on pop culture from the 1980s. - The professor's lecture explored the intersection of pop art and consumerism in post-war America. ### 10. to take a pill verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang to swallow a pill or medicine quickly. For teachers: to ingest a tablet or capsule, often habitually or casually. - He's been popping painkillers all day because of his back ache. - The character in the film is frequently seen popping pills to cope with the stress of his high-pressure job. ## Examples - She listens to pop music on the radio. - The radio station plays a mix of 80s pop and current chart hits. - While often dismissed as commercial and formulaic, the best pop music captures the cultural zeitgeist of its era through deceptively simple lyrics and unforgettable hooks. --- From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.