popcorn
gb/pˈɑpkˌɔɹn/ us/pˈɑpkˌɔɹn/
A1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
popped corn snack
a snack made from corn that pops when heated
Usage pattern:
[some] popcorn; a bowl/bag of popcorn
Common mistake:
Popcorn is usually an uncountable noun: say “some popcorn” or “a bowl of popcorn,” not “two popcorns.”
Synonyms
popped corn (A more explicit term; less common in everyday speech.)
Collocations
a bowl of popcorn
|a bag of popcorn
|movie theater popcorn
|buttered popcorn
|salted popcorn
|microwave popcorn
|air-popped popcorn
|caramel popcorn
|kettle corn
|eat popcorn
Themes
food
|snacks
|daily_life
|entertainment
Examples
- We bought popcorn and drinks before the movie started.
- The kitchen smelled like buttered popcorn.
- She made a big bowl of popcorn for everyone to share.
Learner examples
- I like popcorn.
- We ate popcorn at the cinema.
Noun
A2
entity
2
popcorn kernels (unpopped)
the hard corn seeds you pop to make popcorn
Usage pattern:
popcorn kernels; a jar/bag of popcorn
Common mistake:
In this meaning, speakers often clarify with “kernels” to avoid confusion with ready-to-eat popcorn.
Synonyms
popcorn kernels (The most common way to be explicit about the unpopped form.)
Collocations
popcorn kernels
|unpopped popcorn
|a bag of popcorn kernels
|yellow popcorn
|white popcorn
|popcorn seed
|store popcorn in a jar
|measure popcorn
|pop popcorn on the stove
|add oil to popcorn kernels
Themes
food
|cooking
|shopping
Examples
- I ran out of popcorn kernels, so I couldn’t make any.
- Buy the popcorn in the baking aisle, not the ready-to-eat snacks.
- Old popcorn sometimes won’t pop well.
Learner examples
- These popcorn kernels are small and hard.
adjective
B1
property
3
relating to popcorn
used to describe things about popcorn
Usage pattern:
popcorn + [noun]
Collocations
popcorn machine
|popcorn maker
|popcorn seasoning
|popcorn bag
|popcorn bucket
|popcorn smell
|popcorn ceiling
|popcorn chicken
|popcorn shrimp
|popcorn brand
Themes
food
|home
|shopping
Examples
- We bought a popcorn maker for movie nights at home.
- The apartment still has a popcorn ceiling from the 1970s.
- This popcorn seasoning tastes like cheese.
Learner examples
- I have a popcorn machine.
Grammar
Expressions
buttered popcorn
1/bˈʌtɚd pˈɑpkˌɔɹn/
fixed phrase
popcorn with butter
popcorn with butter on it
Examples
- He ordered a large buttered popcorn.
- Buttered popcorn leaves your fingers greasy.
caramel popcorn
1/kˈɛɹəməl pˈɑpkˌɔɹn/
fixed phrase
popcorn coated in caramel
sweet popcorn with caramel
Examples
- She brought caramel popcorn to the party.
- Caramel popcorn can be very sticky.
kettle corn
1/kˈɛtəl kˈɔɹn/
fixed phrase
sweet-and-salty popcorn
sweet and salty popcorn
Examples
- We bought warm kettle corn at the fair.
- Kettle corn tastes sweet at first, then salty.
microwave popcorn
1/mˈaɪkɹoʊwˌeɪv pˈɑpkˌɔɹn/
fixed phrase
bagged popcorn for microwaving
Popcorn in a paper bag that you put in the microwave to make it pop.
Examples
- We made some microwave popcorn before starting the movie.
- Microwave popcorn is quick, but it can burn easily if you leave it too long.
- She prefers air-popped popcorn to microwave popcorn.
microwave popcorn
1/mˈaɪkɹoʊwˌeɪv pˈɑpkˌɔɹn/
fixed phrase
popcorn made in a microwave
popcorn you cook in the microwave
Examples
- He put a bag of microwave popcorn in for two minutes.
- Microwave popcorn is quick, but it can burn easily if you forget it.
popcorn ceiling
1/pˈɑpkˌɔɹn sˈilɪŋ/
fixed phrase
bumpy textured ceiling finish
a ceiling with a bumpy texture
Examples
- They want to remove the popcorn ceiling and repaint the room.
- The house still has popcorn ceilings in every bedroom.
popcorn chicken
1/pˈɑpkˌɔɹn t͡ʃˈɪkən/
fixed phrase
bite-size fried chicken pieces
small fried pieces of chicken
Examples
- The kids asked for popcorn chicken and fries.
- Popcorn chicken is easy to share because the pieces are small.
popcorn lung
1/pˈɑpkˌɔɹn lˈʌŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
serious lung disease (informal name)
a serious lung illness with this nickname
Examples
- The article explained why the condition is sometimes called popcorn lung.
- Doctors warned that exposure to certain fumes can increase the risk of popcorn lung.
popcorn movie
1/pˈɑpkˌɔɹn mˈuvi/
fixed phrase
informal
light, entertaining film
a fun movie that is not serious
Examples
- It’s a popcorn movie—don’t expect a deep story.
- Sometimes you just want a popcorn movie with big action scenes.