ham
6 synonyms for ham, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Meat from the thigh of a pig, cured or cooked for eating.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
Meat from the thigh of a pig, cured or cooked for eating.
“I'd like a slice of ham and some pickle on my roll.”
2. verb
To overact or perform with exaggerated emotion.
“The children hammed it up for the school play.”
overplay
overact
How to use ham
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
ham sandwich
ham radio
ham it up
Etymology
From Old English hamm, originally meaning the back of the knee, later extended to the thigh and then to the cured meat from it.
Full origin of ham →Frequently asked questions
What does “ham” mean?
The word “ham” means meat from the thigh of a pig, cured or cooked for eating. In plain terms, most often the cured pork you eat, but also slang for an amateur radio enthusiast or a show-off performer.
How do you pronounce “ham”?
“Ham” is pronounced HAM (/ˈhæm/ in IPA).
How do you use “ham” in a sentence?
Here is “ham” used in a sentence: “She made a sandwich with ham and mustard.”
What part of speech is “ham”?
Depending on how it is used, “ham” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ham” come from?
The word “ham” comes from Old English. From Old English hamm, originally meaning the back of the knee, later extended to the thigh and then to the cured meat from it.
Is “ham” a common word?
“Ham” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “ham” have?
“Ham” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: meat from the thigh of a pig, cured or cooked for eating.
What is the difference between ham and gammon?
Both come from the hind leg or thigh of a pig, but ham is sold cured and ready to eat, whether cold or reheated. Gammon is the same cut but is sold raw or lightly cured and must be cooked before serving.
What is the difference between ham and pork?
Pork is the general term for any fresh meat from a pig. Ham refers specifically to meat from the thigh, and it is usually cured or cooked rather than sold raw.
What is the difference between ham and bacon?
Ham is cut from the thigh of the pig, while bacon comes from the belly or back. Ham is typically served as a whole or sliced meat, whereas bacon is cut into thin strips and fried.
