2 syllables: Poo, poo. Stress on Poo.
POO-poo
/ˈpuːpuː/
Poo-poo is pronounced POO-poo (/ˈpuːpuː/). It has two syllables (Poo-poo), with the stress on "Poo". Poo-poo is an informal noun referring to feces or a childish term for bowel movements. It can also function as a light, playful insult or childish euphemism in casual speech. The word is typically used in family or intimate contexts, often in a humorous or non-threatening way.
nounPoo-poo is an informal noun referring to feces or a childish term for bowel movements. It can also function as a light, playful insult or childish euphemism in casual speech. The word is typically used in family or intimate contexts, often in a humorous or non-threatening way.
"The baby made a big mess; you’ll have to clean up the popoo."
"She teased him by calling his tail a pooo-poo, which made the kids laugh."
"Don’t ignore the po-poo joke; it’s a common playful phrase in many households."
Pronounce as two syllables with primary stress on the first: /ˈpuːˌpuː/. The first syllable uses a long /uː/ as in “food,” with rounded lips and a high back tongue. The second syllable mirrors the first, with light, even tempo. Keep the consonants soft and avoid creating a blunt “p” release that would separate the syllables unnaturally. Listen to native speech: you’ll hear a smooth, childlike cadence.
Two frequent errors are shortening to /puːpu/ with no clear syllable separation and misplacing stress, saying /ˈpuːpə/ or /ˈpuː.u/ with a reduced second syllable. Correct by enforcing two distinct syllables: /ˈpuː/ + /puː/. Ensure the vowel stays long in both syllables and avoid adding an extra schwa unless natural prosody requires it. Practicing in minimal pairs helps fix the rhythm.
Across US/UK/AU, the pronunciation remains /ˈpuːˌpuː/ with long /uː/ in both syllables, but vowel quality can subtly shift: US tends to slightly tenser /uː/; UK may have a marginally more rounded lip shape; AU often features a centered vowel with a touch of a diphthongal glide. The rhotic influence is minimal since there’s no rhotic consonant after the vowel. Overall, the difference lies in vowel shaping and timing rather than segmental changes.
The challenge is maintaining two evenly stressed, long /uː/ vowels in quick succession while keeping a natural, light, non-labored ‘p’ release. It’s easy to turn one syllable into a reduced or clipped sound, or to merge with a single-syllable form. Additionally, keeping the childlike cadence without sounding cartoonish requires careful tempo and articulation. Practicing deliberate segmentation helps you retain clarity.
A unique aspect is the equal, leveled stress pattern on both syllables with a distinct, light release on each /p/ that prevents the second syllable from blurring. The first /puː/ should end with a clean puff of air, followed by a maintained opening for the second /puː/ without introducing an aspirated delay. This clean separation preserves the playful, childlike character.
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Poo-poo appears as a reduplicated childish term, a form of baby talk used to denote feces or excrement. The reduplication pattern (X-X) is common in English for creating affectionate, diminutive, or playful words, often to ease discussing bodily functions with children. Its exact origin is unclear, but similar forms appear across languages as affectionate terms for bodily functions. In English-speaking cultures, “poo” and “poo-poo” emerged in the 19th and early 20th centuries as lighthearted, non-technical euphemisms that mask the harsh connotations of more clinical terms. The compound remission “poo-poo” emphasizes playfulness and childishness, often used by caregivers, parents, and in informal family contexts. Over time, it has maintained its role as a non-threatening, humorous label, while in some dialects it may be perceived as overly juvenile. First known written attestations show up in children’s literature and household conversations, where soothing, non-scientific language is common. As it spread in pop culture, “poo-poo” retained its casual tone, remaining a staple in cartoons, parenting resources, and casual banter among adults when a lighthearted touch is desired.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Poo-poo" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Poo-poo" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Poo-poo"
-oot sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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