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Glite Dictionary
popping

popping

1 3.0
A sharp, sudden sound made when something bursts, like a balloon or bottle opening
  • noun
  • /ˈpɑpɪŋ/
: estallido
  • It was just a balloon popping.

This public bone popping in front of other people?

Examples

  • Suddenly, there in the darkness, they hear a series of loud popping sounds, which could be gunfire.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • There was a weird popping noise as he slammed the door shut.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • " Another round of the popping sound of bottles breaking a block or so behind us.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • The gun made a little popping sound when he zapped her.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • A radio tinkled down the corridor, and there was something else, a popping sound in the distance.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Machine-gun fire cut through the air, a small popping sound, like popcorn in a microwave.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • The old man made a popping sound with his lips and shook his head sadly.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • The gray limb tightened, and there was an awful popping sound that Larissa heard even from inside the boat.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • There was a faint popping noise as Willis, his briefcase, and the parchment all vanished.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • As the cork was pulled from the bottle, a loud popping sound filled the room.

Synonyms

bang
vspopping
390 1.3

A sudden loud noise from a hit or impact

is similar but usually implies a crisper, more piercing quality
pop
vspopping
137 2.1

A short sharp sound like a bottle cork or a bursting balloon

is the broader label that also includes sharper, larger explosive sounds
burst
vspopping
77 2.2

A sudden breaking open or explosion

emphasizes the short sharp sound rather than the physical rupture itself
blast
vspopping
60 2.7

A sudden very loud noise that hurts your ears

is typically shorter and sharper, not necessarily very deep or heavy
gunshot
vspopping
54 2.1

A loud sharp sound that a gun makes when it fires

is the general sharp explosive sound category that includes such sounds
boom-boom
vspopping
  • Informal
50 7.6

A loud, deep sound like an explosion or fireworks

is higher pitched and crisper rather than deep and booming
blam
vspopping
  • Informal
8 8.9

A sudden loud noise like a gunshot or explosion

is less onomatopoeic and more a general term for sharp noises
clap
vspopping
7 1.0

A sudden loud noise like thunder or an explosion

focuses more on brief piercing pops than on broad striking sounds
a loud bang
vspopping
6 1.2

A sudden very loud noise often from an explosion or crash

is often used for shorter, crisper noises rather than very loud crashes
report
vspopping
5 5.8

A sudden loud noise like the bang of a gun

is broader and can refer to both small and large sharp explosive noises
kaboom
vspopping
  • Informal
5 7.5

A loud bang from an explosion or a heavy hit

is a smaller, sharper sound rather than a large dramatic explosion
bangs
vspopping
1 1.3

Sudden loud noises like small explosions

usually denotes a single short sharp event rather than repeated sounds

How Loud

boom
475 2.1
bang
390 1.3
popping
1 3.0
pop
1 3.1
snap
39 3.6

Surface Forms

popping singular
poppings plural

Morphology

popping = pop (transparent) = pop + ing

The noun is transparently formed from the verb 'pop' with -ing, referring to the characteristic sound made by popping.

Etymology

The word popping comes from the simple sound pop, which means 'a quick, sharp noise'. The same pop is in popcorn, so popping means the short, sharp sounds you hear from fireworks, a bottle cork, or popcorn.