shoo
8 synonyms for shoo, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To wave or gesture at a person or animal to make them go away.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To wave or gesture at a person or animal to make them go away.
“She shooed the pigeons off the balcony.”
shoo off
shoo away
Etymology
From a Middle English interjection used to drive animals away, echoed in similar words across Germanic languages.
Full origin of shoo →Frequently asked questions
What does “shoo” mean?
The word “shoo” means to wave or gesture at a person or animal to make them go away. In plain terms, a word or gesture used to chase someone or something off, usually gently.
How do you pronounce “shoo”?
“Shoo” is pronounced shoo (/ʃuː/ in IPA).
How do you use “shoo” in a sentence?
Here is “shoo” used in a sentence: “She shooed the pigeons off the balcony.”
What part of speech is “shoo”?
Depending on how it is used, “shoo” can be a verb and an intj.
Where does the word “shoo” come from?
The word “shoo” comes from Middle English. From a Middle English interjection used to drive animals away, echoed in similar words across Germanic languages.
How many meanings does “shoo” have?
“Shoo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to wave or gesture at a person or animal to make them go away.
