shampoo

1 of 3

noun (1)

sham·​poo sham-ˈpü How to pronounce shampoo (audio)
plural shampoos
Synonyms of shampoonext
1
: a preparation used in shampooing
2
: an act or instance of shampooing

shampoo

2 of 3

verb

shampooed; shampooing; shampoos

transitive verb

1
a
: to wash (something, such as hair) with soap and water or with a special preparation
b
: to wash the hair of
2
archaic : massage
shampooer noun

shampooer

3 of 3

noun (2)

sham·​poo·​er
-üə(r)
plural -s
: one that shampoos
specifically : a hairdresser who washes hair

Examples of shampoo in a Sentence

Verb She shampoos her hair every morning. We need to shampoo the rug.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The brand’s Peptide Detox shampoo, which adsorbs hard water deposits to thoroughly clean hair, has amassed 238,000 impressions on TikTok this month and can consistently be found topping the app’s section for popular searches. — Tracy Achonwa, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 Instead, new tariffs will be applied to Canadian exports of cocoa powder, vinyl flooring, shampoo, canoes and other products. — New York Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
Make Lifestyle Changes Reavey recommends creating healthy blood flow to the scalp by shampooing regularly, followed by frequent scalp treatments and head massages. — Carly Cardellino Vaccaro, InStyle, 5 Sep. 2026 How to Use a Color Depositing Hair Mask After shampooing, gently pat dry your hair with a towel or T-shirt and then spread the mask evenly over the lengths and ends. — Giulia Lenzi, Vogue, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for shampoo

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Hindi & Urdu cā̃po, imperative of cā̃pnā to press, massage

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of shampoo was in 1762

Rhymes for shampoo

See All Rhymes for shampoo

Browse Nearby Words

shammy
shampoo
shampooer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shampoo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shampoo. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shampoo

1 of 2 verb
sham·​poo sham-ˈpü How to pronounce shampoo (audio)
: to wash (as the hair) with soap and water or with a special preparation
shampooer noun

shampoo

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act or instance of shampooing
2
: a cleaner used in shampooing

More from Merriam-Webster on shampoo

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shampoo

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shampoo

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