noun
Uncommon
goo
goo
Goo (noun) means a sticky, gummy, or slimy semi-liquid substance of unclear or unpleasant composition. Example: “The old glue had turned into a sticky goo at the bottom of the jar.”
noun
1
A sticky, gummy, or slimy semi-liquid substance of unclear or unpleasant composition.
"The old glue had turned into a sticky goo at the bottom of the jar."
"Green goo oozed out from under the fridge."
2
Overly sentimental or sappy talk or emotion.
"The movie's ending was pure goo, with everyone crying and hugging."
How to use goo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sticky, gross substance — or, figuratively, over-the-top sentimentality.
Common pairings
sticky goo
green goo
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Word forms
- Plural
- goos
- Third person singular
- goos
- Past tense
- gooed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old glue had turned into a sticky _____ at the bottom of the jar.
Etymology
American English, attested since the early 1900s, possibly from "burgoo" (a thick porridge) or as an alteration of "glue."
Class of 1900
goo joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →
Related words
Rhymes for goo
See all rhymes for goo →Frequently asked questions
What does “goo” mean?
The word “goo” means a sticky, gummy, or slimy semi-liquid substance of unclear or unpleasant composition. In plain terms, a sticky, gross substance — or, figuratively, over-the-top sentimentality.
How do you pronounce “goo”?
“Goo” is pronounced goo (/ɡuː/ in IPA).
How do you use “goo” in a sentence?
Here is “goo” used in a sentence: “The old glue had turned into a sticky goo at the bottom of the jar.”
What is another word for “goo”?
Words with a similar meaning to “goo” include gleet, gloop, glop, goop, gunge and gunk.
What part of speech is “goo”?
“Goo” is a noun.
Where does the word “goo” come from?
The word “goo” dates back to around 1900. American English, attested since the early 1900s, possibly from "burgoo" (a thick porridge) or as an alteration of "glue.".
Is “goo” a common word?
“Goo” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “goo” have?
“Goo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sticky, gummy, or slimy semi-liquid substance of unclear or unpleasant composition.
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