noun
hooky
HUU-kee
Hooky (noun) means Unauthorized absence from school or work, as in "play hooky.". Example: “The kids decided to play hooky and go to the beach instead.”
noun
1
Unauthorized absence from school or work, as in "play hooky."
"Let's play hooky and go to the mall."
"The kids decided to play hooky and go to the beach instead."
adj
1
Informal: dishonest or suspicious; shady.
"Something about that deal seemed a bit hooky."
How to use hooky
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSkipping school or work without permission, or, separately, slang for something shady.
Common pairings
play hooky
play hookey
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Word forms
- Comparative
- hookier
- Superlative
- hookiest
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The kids decided to play _____ and go to the beach instead.
Etymology
First recorded in 1848 New York; likely from Dutch hoekje, meaning "corner" or "hiding spot," tied to hide-and-seek games.
Related words
Rhymes for hooky
See all rhymes for hooky →Frequently asked questions
What does “hooky” mean?
The word “hooky” means unauthorized absence from school or work, as in "play hooky.". In plain terms, skipping school or work without permission, or, separately, slang for something shady.
How do you pronounce “hooky”?
“Hooky” is pronounced HUU-kee (/ˈhʊki/ in IPA).
How do you use “hooky” in a sentence?
Here is “hooky” used in a sentence: “The kids decided to play hooky and go to the beach instead.”
What part of speech is “hooky”?
Depending on how it is used, “hooky” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “hooky” come from?
The word “hooky” dates back to around 1848 and comes from Dutch. First recorded in 1848 New York; likely from Dutch hoekje, meaning "corner" or "hiding spot," tied to hide-and-seek games.
How many meanings does “hooky” have?
“Hooky” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unauthorized absence from school or work, as in "play hooky.".
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