# popcorn

Pronunciation: say "POP-korn" US /ˈpɑp.kɔɹn/, UK /ˈpɒp.kɔː(ɹ)n/

## Noun

1. A snack food made from corn kernels that burst open and puff up when dried and heated.
   - Simple: A light snack made from corn kernels that burst open and puff up when heated.
   - _She sprinkled salt and melted butter over the freshly popped popcorn._
   - _Movie theaters sell popcorn by the bucket at the concession stand._
2. An individual portion or serving of the popped corn snack, as bought or shared.
   - Simple: One serving of the popped corn snack, such as a single bag or bowl.
   - _He bought a large popcorn at the concession stand before the film._
   - _We split two popcorns between the four of us._
4. A variety of corn with a hard outer hull and a starch type that together make its kernels suitable for popping.
   - Simple: A kind of corn with a hard shell and special starch inside that lets its kernels burst when heated.
   - _Unlike sweet corn, popcorn is bred specifically for kernels that explode when heated._
   - _Growers harvest popcorn in the fall and dry the ears before shelling._
5. Entertainment derived from watching a dispute or dramatic situation unfold as an uninvolved outsider.
   - Simple: Fun you get from watching other people argue or fight, without joining in yourself.
   - _The online feud quickly became popcorn for thousands of amused onlookers._
   - _For viewers with no stake in the outcome, the messy breakup was sheer popcorn._
8. A style of brainstorming in which participants call out ideas the moment they occur, rather than waiting for an assigned turn to speak.
   - Simple: A way of sharing ideas where people call them out right away instead of waiting their turn.
   - _The facilitator switched to popcorn to keep the energy high during the session._
   - _In popcorn, the loudest voices sometimes drown out quieter team members._
9. A raised, clustered stitch in knitting or crochet, similar to a bobble, that forms a small bump on the fabric.
   - Simple: A raised, bumpy stitch in knitting or crochet that sticks out from the flat fabric.
   - _The sweater's yoke is decorated with neat rows of popcorn._
   - _Crocheters often use popcorn to add texture to otherwise plain panels._
10. A kind of slow soul music that came from Belgium and was popular in the early 1960s.
   - Simple: A slow style of soul music from Belgium that was popular in the early 1960s.
   - _Belgian collectors still hunt for rare popcorn on original vinyl._
   - _The festival devoted a whole stage to popcorn and other vintage soul._
11. A kind of Europop that came from Romania and was popular in the late 2000s.
   - Simple: A Romanian style of upbeat pop music that was popular in the late 2000s.
   - _Romanian radio was saturated with popcorn throughout the late 2000s._
   - _Many of these singers got their start making popcorn for the club market._

## Verb

6. To produce a rapid series of popping sounds, the way kernels do while cooking.
   - Simple: To make many small popping sounds quickly, one right after another.
   - _Distant fireworks popcorn over the harbor every summer night._
   - _The oil grew hot, and the kernels began to popcorn against the lid._
7. To rise or jump up suddenly and quickly from a resting position.
   - Simple: To suddenly stand up or jump up very quickly.
   - _Fans popcorn to their feet whenever the home team scores._
   - _She popcorned out of bed the instant the alarm sounded._

## Noun

3. An individual popped kernel of the corn snack. *(rare)*
   - Simple: A single popped kernel of the corn snack.
   - _A single popcorn stuck stubbornly to the bottom of the bowl._
   - _She flicked a stray popcorn off the armrest of her seat._

## Verb

12. To work the popcorn stitch in knitting or crochet. *(rare)*
   - Simple: To make the raised popcorn stitch while knitting or crocheting.
   - _Knitters popcorn along the central panel to raise a diamond motif._
   - _He popcorned each corner of the square before joining the pieces._

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/popcorn (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).