shoo
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /ʃuː/
KK: /ʃu/
interjection
Definition
A word used to scare away animals or birds.
Example
She waved her hands and shouted 'shoo' to make the birds fly away.
Conversation
Look at that bird trying to steal my sandwich!
Just shoo it away, it’ll get the hint.
I guess I could try that, but it looks so persistent.
Yeah, but if you shoo it a few times, it might finally leave.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
hush
begone
away
Antonyms
come
stay
approach
transitive verb
Definition
To make a sound like "shoo" in order to scare away something or someone, often used with animals.
Example
She tried to shoo the cat away from the table.
Tense Forms
Past: shooed
Past Participle: shooed
Conversation
I saw a cat trying to sneak into my house earlier.
What did you do about it?
I had to shoo it away before it got inside.
Root Explanation
This word originates from Middle English 'shoo', meaning to drive away or to urge someone or something to leave. The term is often used as an exclamation to scare away animals or pests.
Memory Tip
Imagine using a quick motion to 'drive away' something unwanted — that's the essence of 'shoo'.
Visually Confused Words
shojo
sho
shivoo
schoon
school