2
: bored, indifferent
a ho-hum reaction
—used to express weariness, boredom, or disdain
Synonyms
Adjective
Examples of ho-hum in a Sentence
Adjective
the characterizations are good, but the plot is just ho-hum
Recent Examples on the Web
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 17 June 2024
Smooth hydrangea forms mounds of medium green foliage and about this time of year, each stem ends in a flat mass of mostly ho-hum, greenish flowers with a few showier white flowers around the edge.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 14 June 2024
Another trophy for a regular season title may be ho-hum for some, though freshman KK Arnold carried the trophy around until her arms got tired after the victory over Villanova on Tuesday night.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 29 Feb. 2024
And the results — a veggie-forward Thai noodle salad, a pickled pepper take on potato salad and a garlicky elote number — will stand out from the sea of ho-hum summer sides.
—Gretchen McKay, The Mercury News, 13 June 2024
Normally, potatoes can be a bit ho-hum, and their mild flavor sings back-up to the more aggressive seasonings, dressings, and herbs they’re often tossed with.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 June 2024
Stage four CEOs risk complacency, lowered ambition, and ho-hum performance.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 30 May 2024
Keeping their yearly lottery-drafting tradition and incorporating from such a ho-hum class will do little to excite the fan base and push the team’s agenda forward beyond a snail’s pace.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 24 May 2024
Indeed, on a typically ho-hum Tuesday night in May, a casino in southeastern Connecticut felt like the center of the sports universe.
—Sean Gregory / Uncasville, TIME, 15 May 2024
Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2017
Adjective
In a normal planet, a Republican presidential candidate endorsing a Republican running for the Senate would be ho-hum normal.
—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 17 June 2024
Smooth hydrangea forms mounds of medium green foliage and about this time of year, each stem ends in a flat mass of mostly ho-hum, greenish flowers with a few showier white flowers around the edge.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 14 June 2024
Another trophy for a regular season title may be ho-hum for some, though freshman KK Arnold carried the trophy around until her arms got tired after the victory over Villanova on Tuesday night.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 29 Feb. 2024
And the results — a veggie-forward Thai noodle salad, a pickled pepper take on potato salad and a garlicky elote number — will stand out from the sea of ho-hum summer sides.
—Gretchen McKay, The Mercury News, 13 June 2024
Normally, potatoes can be a bit ho-hum, and their mild flavor sings back-up to the more aggressive seasonings, dressings, and herbs they’re often tossed with.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 June 2024
Stage four CEOs risk complacency, lowered ambition, and ho-hum performance.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 30 May 2024
Keeping their yearly lottery-drafting tradition and incorporating from such a ho-hum class will do little to excite the fan base and push the team’s agenda forward beyond a snail’s pace.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 24 May 2024
Indeed, on a typically ho-hum Tuesday night in May, a casino in southeastern Connecticut felt like the center of the sports universe.
—Sean Gregory / Uncasville, TIME, 15 May 2024
Interjection
Moreover, on a day-to-day basis, not just month-to-month, record lows are almost becoming, well, ho hum.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ho-hum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ho-hum
Cite this Entry
“Ho-hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ho-hum. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share