shampoo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal
Quick answer
What does “shampoo” mean?
A liquid preparation for washing hair.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A liquid preparation for washing hair.
Any cleaning agent for washing carpets, upholstery, or cars; the act of washing with such a product.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use 'shampoo' identically for hair product. Slight preference in UK for 'shampoo and set' (hairdressing service).
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “shampoo” in a Sentence
shampoo somethingshampoo your hairhave a shampooVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shampoo” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I need to shampoo the dog this weekend.
- She shampoos her hair every other day.
American English
- He shampooed the carpet yesterday.
- Make sure to shampoo thoroughly.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial use.
American English
- No standard adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- The shampoo dispenser was empty.
- We watched a shampoo commercial.
American English
- She works in shampoo marketing.
- The shampoo bottle leaked.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Marketing of hair care products.
Academic
Rare; appears in cosmetic chemistry texts.
Everyday
Very common in personal care conversations.
Technical
Formulation chemistry, dermatology.
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shampoo”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shampoo”
- Using 'shampoo' as countable plural ('shampoos') when meaning types.
- Confusing 'shampoo' with 'conditioner'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it can be a verb meaning 'to wash with shampoo' (e.g., shampoo the carpet).
Shampoo cleanses hair and scalp; conditioner moisturises and detangles hair after shampooing.
Yes, by extension it can refer to cleaning agents for carpets, cars, or pets.
It's a hairdressing service where hair is washed (shampooed) and then set in rollers to create a style.
A liquid preparation for washing hair.
Shampoo is usually neutral to informal in register.
Shampoo: in British English it is pronounced /ʃæmˈpuː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃæmˈpuː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “shampoo and set”
- “lather, rinse, repeat”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SHAMpoo SHAMpoos your hair - both sound the same.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLEANING IS PURIFYING (shampoo removes impurities)
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common meaning of 'shampoo'?