verb

shoo

Shoo (verb) means to wave or gesture at a person or animal to make them go away. Example: “She shooed the pigeons off the balcony.”

verb

To wave or gesture at a person or animal to make them go away.

"She shooed the pigeons off the balcony."

intj

Used to tell an animal or person to go away.

""Shoo!" she said, flapping her apron at the cat."

How to use shoo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA word or gesture used to chase someone or something off, usually gently.

Word forms

shooed past tense, shoos singular

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Fill the gap

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She _____ the pigeons off the balcony.

Etymology

From a Middle English interjection used to drive animals away, echoed in similar words across Germanic languages.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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shoo off shoo away

Rhymes for shoo

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

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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.