hokey

adjective

hok·​ey ˈhō-kē How to pronounce hokey (audio)
hokier; hokiest
1
: corny entry 1 sense 1
the usual hokey melodrama
2
: obviously contrived : phony
the plots are tricky but not hokeyCleveland Amory
hokeyness noun
or hokiness
hokily adverb

Examples of hokey in a Sentence

She gave us some hokey excuse for being late. their father's sense of humor was hokey beyond belief and most people's endurance
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Bob and Linda put on a hokey haunted house for the kids, which Louise immediately brushes off. Lillian Brown, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024 The film's effects may be a bit hokey by today's standards, but its chilling tale of nature in revolt—led by Tippi Hedren's chic San Francisco socialite Melanie Daniels and Rod Taylor's suave defense attorney Mitch Brenner—stands the test of time. Megan McCluskey, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024 Over the weekend, Donald Trump offered America’s late-night TV hosts two irresistible jumping off points for bits: A hokey McDonald’s photo op and a shaggy dog story about the size of Arnold Palmer’s schlong. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2024 If the idea of self-compassion feels uncomfortable or even hokey, take that as a cue to explore why—maybe in the pages of your journal. Anna Borges, SELF, 9 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hokey 

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hokey was in 1927

Dictionary Entries Near hokey

Cite this Entry

“Hokey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hokey. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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