ho
Ho (intj) means a shout used to draw attention, especially when spotting something in the distance. Example: “Land, ho!" cried the sailor from the crow's nest.”
How to use ho
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither an old-fashioned shout for attention ("land ho!"), or crude slang for a woman seen as promiscuous.
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
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".
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “ho” mean?
The word “ho” means a shout used to draw attention, especially when spotting something in the distance. In plain terms, either an old-fashioned shout for attention ("land ho!"), or crude slang for a woman seen as promiscuous.
How do you pronounce “ho”?
“Ho” is pronounced hoh (/hoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ho” in a sentence?
Here is “ho” used in a sentence: “"Land, ho!" cried the sailor from the crow's nest.”
What part of speech is “ho”?
Depending on how it is used, “ho” can be an intj and a noun.
Where does the word “ho” come from?
The word “ho” comes from Old English. 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".
Is “ho” a common word?
“Ho” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ho” have?
“Ho” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a shout used to draw attention, especially when spotting something in the distance.
What is the difference between 'ho' and 'hey'?
'Hey' is a general call to get someone's attention. 'Ho' as an interjection specifically signals that the speaker has spotted or noticed something, often at a distance, which is why it appears in lookout calls like 'land ho'.
Is the word 'ho' considered offensive?
The interjection meaning a shout to draw attention is not offensive. However, 'ho' is also a vulgar slang noun used offensively toward women, and in that use it is considered crude and disrespectful. Context makes clear which sense is meant.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include ho: