pops: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “pops” mean?
1. A casual, affectionate term for one's father.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
1. A casual, affectionate term for one's father. 2. Short for "soda pop" or carbonated soft drinks. 3. The act of making a short, sharp, explosive sound or the sound itself.
As a noun: Can refer to popular music, as in "Top 40 Pops"; a single performance or event ("one-night pops concert"); or, informally, ice lollies/popsicles. As a verb (third person singular of 'pop'): To move, go, or appear suddenly or quickly; to cause something to burst with a short, sharp sound.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
1. As 'father': understood in both, but more common in American English. 2. As 'carbonated drink': almost exclusively American; British English uses 'fizzy drink', 'soft drink', or brand names like 'cola'. 3. 'Pops concert' (light classical/popular music) is a established term in both.
Connotations
The father sense is warm but very casual, not for formal introduction. The drink sense in the US is neutral and regional (e.g., 'soda' vs. 'pop' vs. 'coke').
Frequency
"Pops" for father is low-frequency overall but common within specific familial or friendly contexts. The verb form is high-frequency.
Grammar
How to Use “pops” in a Sentence
[NP] pops [into/out of/up] [NP/PP] (The cork pops out of the bottle.)[NP] pops [NP] (She pops the balloon.)[NP] pops [Adj] (The toast pops ready.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pops” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He just pops round to the shop for milk.
- The kernel pops in the hot oil to become popcorn.
American English
- She pops by her dad's house on the way home.
- The toast pops up when it's ready.
adverb
British English
- The balloon went pop. (Here 'pop' is used adverbially after 'go')
- It happened pop in the middle of the night. (rare, poetic)
American English
- The champagne cork came out pop!
- I like my cereal snap, crackle, and pop. (from brand slogan)
adjective
British English
- He's a pops musician. (in the sense of 'popular music')
- We saw a pops orchestra performance.
American English
- She loves listening to pops radio stations.
- The Boston Pops is a famous orchestra.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in branding (e.g., 'Pops Cereal') or informal meetings ("I'll pop into the office").
Academic
Virtually non-existent in this form.
Everyday
Very high frequency for the verb; common for the familial and drink nouns in relevant dialects/contexts.
Technical
Can refer to a type of network protocol (POP3) or 'point of purchase' (POP), but pronounced as separate letters, not as the word 'pops'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pops”
- Using "Pops" to address one's father-in-law without established rapport.
- Using the noun "pops" (drinks) in a UK context and expecting understanding.
- Treating "pops" as a formal countable noun (e.g., "I have two pops" for fathers is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not inherently disrespectful, but it is very informal and affectionate. Its appropriateness depends entirely on your family's dynamics. It would be unusual in a formal introduction.
'Pop' is the base form (noun or verb). 'Pops' is the third-person singular present tense of the verb ('he pops'), a plural noun for drinks, or a singular proper noun for 'father'. 'Popping' is the present participle/adjective ('the popping noise', 'she is popping corn').
Yes, but it's less common. 'Grandpops' or 'Pop-pop' are more frequent affectionate terms for a grandfather.
It's a major regional dialect variation in the US. 'Pop' is common in the Midwest, Northwest, and Mountain States. 'Soda' is common in the Northeast, Southwest, and Florida. The South often uses 'coke' generically.
1. A casual, affectionate term for one's father.
Pops is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Pops: in British English it is pronounced /pɒps/, and in American English it is pronounced /pɑːps/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pop the question”
- “pop your clogs”
- “a pop (slang for each, e.g., "ten pounds a pop")”
- “pop goes the weasel”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound a cork makes when it POPS out of a bottle—your POPS (dad) might open one at a celebration.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUDDENNESS IS A POPPING SOUND (e.g., 'an idea popped into my head'). FAMILIARITY/AFFECTION IS INFORMAL NAMING (using 'Pops' instead of 'Father').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'pops' LEAST likely to be used?