hootenanny

noun

hoo·​te·​nan·​ny ˈhü-tə-ˌna-nē How to pronounce hootenanny (audio)
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
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.
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 Some were these churlish rock records, others hootenanny folk records, bluegrass/country standards with Mac Wiseman. Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for hootenanny 

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hootenanny was in 1929

Dictionary Entries Near hootenanny

Cite this Entry

“Hootenanny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hootenanny. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

hootenanny

noun
hoo·​te·​nan·​ny ˈhüt-ᵊn-ˌan-ē How to pronounce hootenanny (audio)
plural hootenannies
: a gathering at which folksingers entertain

More from Merriam-Webster on hootenanny

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!