ho-hum

1 of 2

adjective

1
: routine, dull
a ho-hum existence
2
: bored, indifferent
a ho-hum reaction
used to express weariness, boredom, or disdain

Examples of ho-hum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
In an otherwise ho-hum election nationwide, California’s Senate contest is shaping up as a big draw. Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 The Hoxton opened last spring, upcycling a ho-hum '70s building into a kinetic homage to the district's early-20th-century heritage. Rick Jordan, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2024 These formerly ho-hum blocks of mostly one-story buildings are undergoing a renaissance. Janet Fullwood, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2024 Phoenix Country Day School, 17-3 Another ho-hum week for PCDS, which continues to dominate every 2A team in its path. The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2024 That might sound like a ho-hum statement considering the Bombers extended their undefeated streak in an event that celebrated its 40th anniversary. Brendan Connelly, The Enquirer, 19 Jan. 2024 The most jaw-dropping, next-level upgrades A lot of times at this show — and in general with consumer tech — year-to-year upgrades are super ho-hum. Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2024 The Standard hotel line is anything but a ho-hum place to hang your hat. Kristin L. Wolfe, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 Why pick Utah State, a ho-hum Mountain West Conference team that went 6-7 in 2023, over offers from Air Force, Ivy League power Yale, the SEC’s Missouri and a host of other programs? Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2024
Interjection
Moreover, on a day-to-day basis, not just month-to-month, record lows are almost becoming, well, ho hum. Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ho-hum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Interjection

imitative

First Known Use

Adjective

1969, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Interjection

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ho-hum was in 1924

Dictionary Entries Near ho-hum

Cite this Entry

“Ho-hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ho-hum. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

ho hum

interjection
ˈhō-ˈhəm
used to express weariness, boredom, or disdain
Etymology

Interjection

imitative

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!