noun

hoon

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Hoon (noun) means Australian/NZ slang for someone who drives fast, loudly, or recklessly. Example: “Police cracked down on hoons racing modified cars downtown.”

noun

Australian/NZ slang for someone who drives fast, loudly, or recklessly.

"Police cracked down on hoons racing modified cars downtown."

verb

To drive in a fast, loud, or reckless way.

"Teens were caught hooning around the empty car park."

How to use hoon

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAustralian/NZ slang for a reckless speed-driver, or the reckless driving itself.

UK vs US

Mainly used in Australian and New Zealand English.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: hoons
Third person singular: hoons
Past tense: hooned

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Police cracked down on _____ racing modified cars downtown.

Etymology

Origin uncertain; first appeared in print in the 1938 Australian novel Capricornia as a general insult.

· First attested 1938

Class of 1938 hoon joined the language around 1938.

cline nylon

See the full Class of 1938 →

Rhymes for hoon

noon moon soon toon poon foon goon loon boon woon doon Yoon

See all rhymes for hoon →

Frequently asked questions

What does “hoon” mean?

The word “hoon” means australian/NZ slang for someone who drives fast, loudly, or recklessly. In plain terms, australian/NZ slang for a reckless speed-driver, or the reckless driving itself.

How do you pronounce “hoon”?

“Hoon” is pronounced hoon (/hun/ in IPA).

How do you use “hoon” in a sentence?

Here is “hoon” used in a sentence: “Police cracked down on hoons racing modified cars downtown.”

What part of speech is “hoon”?

Depending on how it is used, “hoon” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “hoon” come from?

The word “hoon” dates back to around 1938. Origin uncertain; first appeared in print in the 1938 Australian novel Capricornia as a general insult.

How many meanings does “hoon” have?

“Hoon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: australian/NZ slang for someone who drives fast, loudly, or recklessly.