popcorn
popcorn — noun
1. corn kernels heated so they pop into light white pieces that people eat as a sna
corn kernels heated so they pop into light white pieces that people eat as a snack, often sweet or with salt and butter
Mina shared buttery popcorn with her cousins during the baseball game.
collocation: buttery popcorn
A warm smell of popcorn filled the theater lobby before noon.
Dad bought a huge bucket of popcorn for the last train ride.
Warm popcorn spilled from the paper bag onto Leo's lap.
- popped corn
a literal phrase, used less often than popcorn
- kettle corn
a sweeter style of popcorn, so it is only a partial match
- caramel corn
popcorn covered with caramel, not the general term
文法句型
a bag/bowl/bucket of popcorn
用法筆記
Usually uncountable when you mean the food in general. To count it, learners normally use container words such as bag, bowl, or bucket.
常見錯誤
2. entertainment such as movies or TV shows that is easy to enjoy but not very seri
entertainment such as movies or TV shows that is easy to enjoy but not very serious, thoughtful, or artistic
The new game show is popcorn for tired commuters after work.
figurative noun for easy entertainment
After finals, Nora watched pure popcorn instead of another dark drama.
collocation: pure popcorn
Reviewers called the summer action series glossy popcorn with a thin plot.
The new dating show is popcorn, not a serious social study.
- escapist entertainment
stresses getting away from real life, not necessarily poor quality
- blockbuster fare
suggests a big commercial movie, often with a large audience
- mindless fun
more negative, stressing lack of thought
- art-house cinema
used for films valued more for artistic aims than easy fun
- serious drama
focuses on heavier ideas and emotional weight
用法筆記
Often used by reviewers and fans with a mildly dismissive tone. Distinguish from adjective 1, which describes a movie or show before a following noun.
popcorn — adjective
1. made to please a wide audience and give quick fun, not much depth or artistic qu
made to please a wide audience and give quick fun, not much depth or artistic quality
The director wanted a popcorn thriller with speed, jokes, and car chases.
pattern: popcorn + genre noun
The channel ordered a popcorn series for Friday night viewers.
Reviewers dismissed the film as a popcorn movie for tired office workers.
A popcorn musical opened the festival with catchy songs and bright costumes.
- crowd-pleasing
more positive, focusing on audience enjoyment
- commercial
stresses mass-market appeal more than fun
- lightweight
more clearly critical, stressing lack of depth
- thought-provoking
used for work that makes people think deeply
- art-house
describes work aimed more at artistic effect than broad fun
文法句型
popcorn + movie/show/thriller/entertainment
用法筆記
Usually placed before a noun, especially movie, show, thriller, or entertainment. Distinguish from noun 2, which names that kind of entertainment itself.