shampoo
4 synonyms for shampoo, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A liquid soap-like product made for washing hair.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use shampoo
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
bottle of shampoo
shampoo and conditioner
shampoo the carpet
Etymology
From Hindi champo, an instruction meaning "press!" or "knead!", from a verb for massaging the body — it originally described a warm-water body massage before it came to mean hair washing in English.
Full origin of shampoo →Frequently asked questions
What does “shampoo” mean?
The word “shampoo” means a liquid soap-like product made for washing hair. In plain terms, a product (or the act of using it) for cleaning hair or fabric.
How do you pronounce “shampoo”?
“Shampoo” is pronounced sham-POO (/ʃæmˈpuː/ in IPA).
How do you use “shampoo” in a sentence?
Here is “shampoo” used in a sentence: “She switched to a shampoo made for dry hair.”
What part of speech is “shampoo”?
Depending on how it is used, “shampoo” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “shampoo” come from?
The word “shampoo” comes from Hindi. From Hindi champo, an instruction meaning "press!" or "knead!", from a verb for massaging the body — it originally described a warm-water body massage before it came to mean hair washing in English.
Is “shampoo” a common word?
“Shampoo” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “shampoo” have?
“Shampoo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a liquid soap-like product made for washing hair.
What is the difference between shampoo and conditioner?
Shampoo is a liquid soap-like product used to wash and clean hair, removing dirt and oil. Conditioner is typically applied afterward to soften and detangle hair, rather than to clean it.
Can shampoo be used as a verb?
Yes. Shampoo functions as a verb meaning to wash hair, carpet, or upholstery using shampoo, as in "shampoo the carpet before the guests arrive."
What is carpet shampoo used for?
Carpet shampoo is a shampoo product formulated specifically for washing carpets and upholstery rather than hair, using the same core cleaning action described by the verb shampoo.
