# shoo

/ˈʃu/ (US) · /ʃˈuː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shoo
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to drive away

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

to make a person or animal leave a place, often by waving your hands or making a noise.

For teachers: to drive away a person or animal by making a 'shoo' sound or using dismissive hand gestures.

- The gardener tried to shoo the birds away from the fresh seeds.
- She attempted to shoo the stray cat out of the kitchen, but it simply retreated under the table and refused to budge.

Usage: Often used with the particle 'away'.

## Examples

- Shoo the cat away from the table.
- The children were told to shoo the birds from the garden before they could eat their lunch.
- The gardener had to shoo several curious squirrels away from the newly planted seedlings to prevent them from damaging the roots.

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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.