hootenanny
noun
hoo·te·nan·ny
ˈhü-tə-ˌna-nē 
plural hootenannies
1
chiefly dialectal
: gadget
2
: a gathering at which folk singers entertain often with the audience joining in
Examples of hootenanny in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After over 40 years in Utah, the indie cinema hootenanny had inked a 10-year contract with the Beehive State’s next-door neighbor in hopes of renewal and evolution.
—
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2025
According to Wald, the first time Dylan is on stage in front of a really big crowd is at a Pete Seeger hootenanny, in which Seeger brought a number of young performers onstage.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 25 Dec. 2024
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's legacy showcased at the Mother Church
The two hours that the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band played onstage felt like part Grand Ole Opry episode, part hootenanny and part blistering psychedelic rock concert.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 11 Nov. 2024
But Stapleton’s ability to make a giant concrete edifice seem like an intimate hootenanny with just an acoustic guitar and his deeply expressive voice was a rare accomplishment.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hootenanny
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2025
According to Wald, the first time Dylan is on stage in front of a really big crowd is at a Pete Seeger hootenanny, in which Seeger brought a number of young performers onstage.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 25 Dec. 2024
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's legacy showcased at the Mother Church
The two hours that the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band played onstage felt like part Grand Ole Opry episode, part hootenanny and part blistering psychedelic rock concert.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 11 Nov. 2024
But Stapleton’s ability to make a giant concrete edifice seem like an intimate hootenanny with just an acoustic guitar and his deeply expressive voice was a rare accomplishment.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hootenanny
Cite this Entry
“Hootenanny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hootenanny. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hootenanny
noun
hoo·te·nan·ny
ˈhüt-ᵊn-ˌan-ē
plural hootenannies
: a gathering at which folksingers entertain
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share