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.
Contractual hokey cokey aside, Liverpool continue to fly despite having to rely on three early Christmas presents from Southampton’s extremely generous defence on Sunday — with Salah sparking the comeback when Alex McCarthy was caught hopelessly out of position (below). Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024 But the hokey commercial unveiling allows Manfredi to gather his lovable crew, many of whom are featured in the spot, for a group hug at his house. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 17 Nov. 2024 The other would become the crown jewel of the parade’s unabashedly hokey pageantry: its collection of majestic balloons, beginning with a two-story Felix the Cat in 1927. Michael Callahan, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 Bob and Linda put on a hokey haunted house for the kids, which Louise immediately brushes off. Lillian Brown, Vulture, 29 Oct. 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 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on hokey

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!