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

“They can show in a traditional runway format, they can show in a presentation, they can do incredible pop-up activations.”

From Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles has been chosen to host Seventeen’s In The City official pop-up events.

From Los Angeles Times

Entrepreneur Max Daily, semi-famous in San Diego for running the pop-up Oslo Sardine Bar, has announced plans to open an eatery on Old Highway 80 with a stage for live music.

From Los Angeles Times

Could you tell me a bit about the Manresa pop-up you recently partook in?

From Salon

The European city’s more-than-a-century-old subway became the transit workhorse of the Olympic Games, with trains pulling in every few minutes emptying out crowded stations and moving spectators quickly from stadiums and pop-up venues.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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