noun
pom
pom
Pom (noun) means informal Australian and New Zealand term for an English person. Example: “The Aussies teased their pom friend about his pale skin.”
noun
1
Informal Australian and New Zealand term for an English person.
"The Aussies teased their pom friend about his pale skin."
2
Informal short form of Pomeranian, a small fluffy dog breed.
"She carries her little pom around in a bag."
How to use pom
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAustralian slang for an English person, or a casual term for a Pomeranian dog.
When to use it
Informal and can be seen as a mild ethnic tease; tone depends heavily on context and relationship.
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Word forms
- Plural
- poms
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The Aussies teased their _____ friend about his pale skin.
Etymology
Likely a shortening of "pomegranate," used in early-1900s Australian slang for English immigrants, possibly a jokey reference to sunburned skin.
Class of 1900
pom joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →
Synonyms
View more →
pommy
Frequently asked questions
What does “pom” mean?
The word “pom” means informal Australian and New Zealand term for an English person. In plain terms, australian slang for an English person, or a casual term for a Pomeranian dog.
How do you pronounce “pom”?
“Pom” is pronounced pom (/pɑm/ in IPA).
How do you use “pom” in a sentence?
Here is “pom” used in a sentence: “The Aussies teased their pom friend about his pale skin.”
What part of speech is “pom”?
“Pom” is a noun.
Where does the word “pom” come from?
The word “pom” dates back to around 1900. Likely a shortening of "pomegranate," used in early-1900s Australian slang for English immigrants, possibly a jokey reference to sunburned skin.
How many meanings does “pom” have?
“Pom” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal Australian and New Zealand term for an English person.
