shoo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, sometimes slightly humorous or affectionate.
Quick answer
What does “shoo” mean?
An exclamation or verb used to drive away an animal, bird, or sometimes a person, typically by making a sound or gesture.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An exclamation or verb used to drive away an animal, bird, or sometimes a person, typically by making a sound or gesture.
To dismiss or cause someone/thing to leave a place, often in a hurried or forceful manner. Can also describe the act of waving something away.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in meaning and register. Slight potential for more frequent metaphorical use in American English.
Connotations
Both varieties carry the same connotations of informal, often playful, dismissal.
Frequency
Equally common and understood in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “shoo” in a Sentence
Shoo! (imperative/exclamation)to shoo [OBJECT]to shoo [OBJECT] away/off/outVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shoo” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I had to shoo the pigeons away from the seed trays.
- She shooed the children out of the kitchen whilst she cooked.
American English
- He shooed the fly off his sandwich.
- Can you shoo the dog off the couch?
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial use.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial use.)
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjectival use. 'Shoo-in' is a fixed noun phrase.)
American English
- (No standard adjectival use. 'Shoo-in' is a fixed noun phrase.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly metaphorical: 'We need to shoo away these doubts before the meeting.'
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Common: used with pets, flies, or curious children. 'Shoo, cat, off the counter!'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shoo”
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Pronouncing it as /ʃuː/ like 'shoe' is correct, but some learners may try /ʃʊ/.
- Using it with serious aggression; it's inherently non-violent.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal but not inherently rude. It is often used playfully or lightly, especially with animals and children. It would be rude if used dismissively with an adult peer.
Not in standard usage. The related term 'shoo-in' is a noun meaning a certain winner, but the word 'shoo' itself is almost exclusively a verb or interjection.
'Shoo away' implies a gesture or sound to make something leave, often without causing fear. 'Scare away' implies causing genuine fright, which is a stronger reaction.
The standard past tense and past participle is 'shooed' (e.g., 'He shooed the chickens'). The form 'shot' is archaic and incorrect in modern English.
An exclamation or verb used to drive away an animal, bird, or sometimes a person, typically by making a sound or gesture.
Shoo is usually informal, sometimes slightly humorous or affectionate. in register.
Shoo: in British English it is pronounced /ʃuː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃuː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Shoo-in (noun, derived but distinct: a certain winner).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The sound 'Shoo!' sounds like the act of pushing air/things away. Think of the 'sh' sound as a hushing or pushing sound, and the 'oo' as the thing moving away from you.
Conceptual Metaphor
REMOVAL IS A FORCEFUL GESTURE (often gentle); UNWANTED THINGS ARE PESTS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'shoo' LEAST appropriate?