pop-up

or pop·up

[ pop-uhp ]

adjective

1. (of books, usually children's books) having pieces of artwork fastened to the pages so that when the page is opened, a three-dimensional cutout or object is formed and, sometimes, movement of a picture element, such as a door opening, can be activated by pulling a tab.
2. of or being a device that ejects or raises a finished or used item from the top:

   a pop-up toaster.

3. of or relating to a device, mechanism, or object that rises or pivots from a concealed or recessed position to its operating position:

   a camera with a pop-up electronic flash; a car with pop-up headlights.

4. popping up, as from an appliance or object:

   pop-up waffles heated in the toaster; a pop-up gauge for indicating when the turkey is done.

5. noting or pertaining to a store, restaurant, etc., that temporarily takes over a vacant space and does business there for a short time:

   a pop-up store selling Halloween costumes.

6. Digital Technology. (of a new window or its content) appearing suddenly and temporarily within or in front of an open window on the screen of a computer or mobile device:

   Right-click to get a pop-up menu. There are tools to block pop-up ads.

noun

1. a pop-up book.
2. Also called pop-out,. something, as a partially cut out or spring-mounted illustration in a children's book, that unfolds or springs up when opened or otherwise activated:

   a Christmas card with a pop-up of Santa Claus.

3. Baseball. pop fly.
4. a pop-up store, restaurant, etc.
5. Digital Technology. a pop-up window, message, advertisement, etc.:

   Press the hotkey and the pop-up will appear.

pop-up

adjective

1. (of an appliance) characterized by or having a mechanism that pops up

   a pop-up toaster

2. (of a book) having pages that rise when opened to simulate a three-dimensional form
3. computing (of a menu on a computer screen, etc) suddenly appearing when an option is selected
4. (of a shop, restaurant, venue, or other small business) intentionally opening and closing for business within a very short span of time

   a pop-up shop

verb

1. intr, adverb to appear suddenly from below

noun

1. computing something that appears over or above the open window on a computer screen

Word History and Origins

Origin of pop-up¹

First recorded in 1860–65 pop-up fordef 9; noun, adjective use of verb phrase pop up

Idioms and Phrases

Suddenly appear, as in After a brief warm spell all the flowers popped up , or He's constantly popping up where he's least expected .

Example Sentences

Given the overwhelming response, both the restaurant and the famed skyscraper granted the internet’s wish six months later and a Rainforest Cafe pop-up opened on the rooftop of the Empire State Building for one weekend, making their mascot Ozzie the orangutan one of the first apes to grace the building since King Kong.

From Slate

When Ted Nivison made it to the top of the Empire State Building pop-up, the restaurant posted an Instagram reel of his celebratory embrace with their mascot Cha!

From Slate

Although an array of satellite fairs and pop-up shows engulf the entire city, the priciest sales are still brokered at the convention center, where a who’s who of selected dealers hold court.

From New York Times

As a result, the beautiful Hagley Oval, a pop-up grass-banked venue - imagine dropping a Test ground into the middle of London's Hyde Park - is expected to be full.

From BBC

For now, All One Thing is creating pop-up programming—community dinners, live music, classes for kids, and co-working for adults—in co-working spaces from Los Angeles to Asheville.

From Slate

Related Words

• advance
• age
• become
• breed
• build
• come
• cultivate
• develop
• expand
• flourish
• gain
• increase
• mature
• multiply
• produce
• raise
• rise
• spread
• sprout
• swell