noun Uncommon

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

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."

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 notes

In plain EnglishA sticky, gross substance — or, figuratively, over-the-top sentimentality.

Common pairings

sticky goo green goo

Word forms

gooed past tense, gooed past tense, goos plural, goos plural, Goos plural, goos singular, goos singular

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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."

· First attested 1900

Class of 1900 goo joined the language around 1900.

addictive Alfredo Alyssa antsy applesauce

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Synonyms

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gleet gloop glop goop gunge gunk gum ick muck ooze paste slop

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Rhymes for goo

oo too moo poo loo foo doo boo woo roo coo soo

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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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