intj

ho

hoh

intj

A shout used to draw attention, especially when spotting something in the distance.

""Land, ho!" cried the sailor from the crow's nest."

noun

A vulgar slang term for a promiscuous woman; also used more broadly and offensively for "woman".

"The song's lyrics were criticized for calling women "hos"."

How to Use Ho

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither an old-fashioned shout for attention ("land ho!"), or crude slang for a woman seen as promiscuous.

When to use it

The slang noun sense is vulgar and offensive; avoid it outside of quoting song lyrics or slang discussion.

Word Forms

hoed past tense, hos plural, hoes plural, heaux plural, hos plural, hoes singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “ho” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

"Land, _____!" cried the sailor from the crow's nest.

Etymology

From Old English hō, an interjection related to Old Norse "hó", a shepherd's call. The slang noun sense is a clipped, informal pronunciation of "whore".

Rhymes for ho

who rho tho oho sho pho Cho echo Soho toho Miho macho

See all rhymes for ho →