pom-pom: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-lowInformal to neutral. When referring to the decorative ball, it is common in everyday and craft contexts. The artillery meaning is technical/historical.
Quick answer
What does “pom-pom” mean?
A small, fluffy ornamental ball, typically made of yarn or fabric, often used in pairs for decoration on clothing or as a handheld cheerleading accessory.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, fluffy ornamental ball, typically made of yarn or fabric, often used in pairs for decoration on clothing or as a handheld cheerleading accessory.
The term can also refer to a type of rapid-firing automatic cannon, historically used on ships and for anti-aircraft purposes, or informally to describe something that is showy, frivolous, or reminiscent of such decoration.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both variants use the term similarly. The spelling 'pom-pom' is slightly more common in formal UK writing, while 'pom pom' (without hyphen) is frequent in informal US contexts.
Connotations
In both, the decorative sense connotes cheerfulness, festivity, or craft. The cannon sense is purely technical.
Frequency
The decorative term is more frequently encountered in the US due to the cultural prominence of cheerleading.
Grammar
How to Use “pom-pom” in a Sentence
attach X to Ydecorate X with Yshake Xwave XVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pom-pom” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She added a pom-pom trim to the knitted hat.
American English
- The pillow had a fun pom-pom border.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in fashion/textile industry for describing trim details.
Academic
Rare. May appear in historical texts referring to the 'pom-pom gun'.
Everyday
Common in contexts of knitting, crafts, winter wear, and cheerleading.
Technical
Specific to historical military terminology for a type of automatic cannon.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pom-pom”
- Misspelling as 'pom-pam' or 'pompon'. Incorrectly using it as a verb (e.g., 'to pom-pom'). Confusing the decorative and artillery meanings in context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no difference in meaning. 'Pom-pom' is the traditional hyphenated spelling, while 'pompom' is a common closed form. Both are acceptable.
No, it is not standard. The action is 'to wave pom-poms' or 'to cheer with pom-poms'.
No, it is largely historical, referring to late 19th and early-to-mid 20th century automatic cannons, notably the QF 1-pounder and similar weapons.
Typically yarn (wool, acrylic), but also fabric, ribbon, paper, or plastic.
A small, fluffy ornamental ball, typically made of yarn or fabric, often used in pairs for decoration on clothing or as a handheld cheerleading accessory.
Pom-pom is usually informal to neutral. when referring to the decorative ball, it is common in everyday and craft contexts. the artillery meaning is technical/historical. in register.
Pom-pom: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɒm pɒm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɑːm pɑːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “shake one's pom-poms (to cheer enthusiastically, sometimes derogatorily)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a POMPous king wearing a silly hat with a POMPOM on top. The word sounds like the bouncing rhythm of the balls.
Conceptual Metaphor
FRIVOLITY IS A FLUFFY BALL (e.g., 'pom-pom journalism' for lightweight news).
Practice
Quiz
In a historical military context, a 'pom-pom' referred to: