Standard Lemma guide

ho-hum

adj · intj · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Boring; not interesting or novel.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Canada, US, dated

Examples

  • She wore ho-hum clothes, but practical ones.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

intj

Meaning 2

Used to express boredom, uninterest or lack of novelty.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Canada, US, dated

Examples

  • Look at all this paperwork. Ho-hum!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness- Edmund Burke- Mark Twain

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a boring evening with uninteresting people
  • the deadening effect of some routine tasks
  • a dull play
  • his competent but dull performance
  • a ho-hum speaker who couldn't capture their attention
  • what an irksome task the writing of long letters is
  • tedious days on the train
  • the tiresome chirping of a cricket
  • other people's dreams are dreadfully wearisome

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: boring, deadening, dull, irksome, slow, tedious, tiresome, wearisome

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: tylsä — boring; not interesting or novel
  • Finnish: mielenkiinnoton — boring; not interesting or novel
  • German: langweilig — boring; not interesting or novel
  • Italian: noioso — boring; not interesting or novel
  • Russian: ску́чный (skúčnyj) — boring; not interesting or novel
  • Finnish: hohhoijaa — interjection used to express boredom, disinterest or lack of novelty