2 syllables: Sham, poo. Stress on poo.
sham-POO
/ʃæˈmpu/
Shampoo is pronounced sham-POO (/ʃæˈmpu/). It has two syllables (Sham-poo), with the stress on "poo". As a noun, a liquid or semi-solid cosmetic product used to cleanse the hair. It is typically scented, lathers when agitated with water, and is applied to wet hair before rinsing. The term can also refer to the act of washing hair with such a product.
nounA liquid or semi-solid cosmetic product used to cleanse the hair. It is typically scented, lathers when agitated with water, and is applied to wet hair before rinsing. The term can also refer to the act of washing hair with such a product.
How to Pronounce Shampoo
"I bought a new bottle of shampoo that smells like citrus and works well for my dry scalp."
"Before I dye my hair, I always shampoo twice to ensure all residues are removed."
"The salon recommended a sulfate-free shampoo for this type of hair."
Shampoo is pronounced as /ˈʃæmpuː/ in US and /ˈʃæm.puː/ in UK/AU, with primary stress on the first syllable. Start with the 'sh' sound, then an open front vowel 'æ' as in 'cat', followed by a light 'm' and an elongated 'poo' that rhymes with 'boo'. The second syllable is unstressed or lightly stressed depending on emphasis, giving 'SHAM-poo' overall. Visualize the mouth geometry: lips spread slightly, tongue low in the front, and a rounded, closed 'oo' at the end.
Common errors include pronouncing the second syllable as /poʊ/ or /poʊl/ and misplacing the main stress. Some speakers shorten the vowel in the second syllable or de-emphasize the initial /ʃ/. To correct: keep the first syllable crisp with /ʃæm-/, ensure the final /puː/ is a full, rounded 'oo' like in 'food', and maintain primary stress on the first syllable: SHAM-poo.
In US English, /ˈʃæmˌpoʊ/ or /ˈʃæmpuː/ often yields a tighter final vowel, with a slightly reduced second syllable. UK/AU accents favor /ˈʃæmˈpuː/ or /ˈʃæmpjuː/ with a clearer 'oo' vowel and a longer, clipped second syllable. The rhoticity doesn’t affect shampoo much, but vowel quality and linking can vary: US tends to link smoother to 'sham-poo', UK/AU sometimes render the second syllable with a fuller vowel and less glottalization.
The challenge lies in the two-syllable rhythm and the diphthong in the final syllable. The final /uː/ requires a rounded, prolonged vowel that often shortens in rapid speech. Additionally, some speakers inadvertently use /ʌ/ or /ə/ in the middle, muting the 'm' and 'poo' blend. Focus on keeping /ʃ/ clear, /æ/ bright, and the final /puː/ as a full, rounded vowel with lip rounding.
The unusual combination of a stressed first syllable with a high-front vowel and a long 'oo' in the second syllable makes the word feel airy and airy but requires precise lip rounding. Break it into SHAM-POO, practice each part separately, then blend. IPA cues: US /ˈʃæmˌpoʊ/ or /ˈʃæmpuː/, UK/AU /ˈʃæm.puː/; ensure the /puː/ is not shortened.
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Shampoo derives from the Hindi word 'chāmpo' (चांपो), meaning to press or knead, commonly used in the context of massaging the scalp. The term entered English via colonial trade and Indian markets in the 18th century as a verb meaning to knead or churn, particularly in hair-washing rituals. In the early 19th century, English speakers adopted 'shampoo' primarily as a noun for the cleansing agent and later as a verb meaning to wash with such a product, though the sense gradually narrowed in common usage to the product itself. The modern meaning evolved in the late 19th to early 20th centuries with the rise of packaged personal care products, marketing a scented cleansing solution with surfactants. Across languages, the concept of washing hair with a cleansing agent has parallel terms, but the English 'shampoo' became the dominant global term for both the product and the act of washing hair.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Shampoo" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Shampoo" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Shampoo"
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