pompom

¹

or pom-pom

[ pom-pom ]

noun

1. Also . an ornamental tuft or ball of feathers, wool, or the like, used on hats, slippers, etc.
2. pompon ( def 3 ).

pompom

²

or pom-pom

[ pom-pom ]

noun

1. an automatic antiaircraft cannon.

pompom

/ ˈpɒmpɒm /

noun

1. a ball of tufted silk, wool, feathers, etc, worn on a hat for decoration
2. 1. the small globelike flower head of certain cultivated varieties of dahlia and chrysanthemum
   2. ( as modifier )

      pompom dahlia

Word History and Origins

Origin of pompom¹

First recorded in 1740–50; variant of pompon, with assimilation of final n

Origin of pompom²

First recorded in 1895–1900; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of pompom¹

C18: from French, from Old French pompe knot of ribbons, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

A pink and black pompom hat was his signature look, though he was also known to wear cashmere.

From New York Times

Giant red pompom decorations are usually added to the furs.

From Seattle Times

The event’s rules specifically state the hat must bear a white pompom.

From Seattle Times

And when her team couldn’t find something, they had it made — like the giant Santa hat that tops the bear statue in Jack’s bar: “It’s hard to find a really giant Santa hat, so I had one of my dressers make one with a pompom topper; there’s all these little tiny little details everywhere.”

From Los Angeles Times

And, yes, the squat little rosebush by my front stoop is a pompom of tiny green leaves, and the cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin are nearing peak bloom, but the morning temperature in D.C. still hovers around a frosty 32.

From Washington Post