pooh-pooh

C2+ Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˌpuːˈpuː/ UK /ˌpuːˈpuː/ See IPA manual

Freq #83226

Meanings

1

verb
to dismiss an idea, concern, or suggestion as foolish or unimportant, often contemptuously

The committee should not pooh-pooh the residents' safety concerns.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to dismiss an idea,... dismiss disparagescoff atbrush off

More belittle

Opposites

endorse respecttake seriously

Word family

Forms pooh-poohed

Related forms pooh scoff deride

Etymology

From a reduplication of the interjection pooh, a sound expressing impatience, disbelief, or contempt. Repeating the sound produced a verb for dismissing something with the same attitude.

Topics

Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

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