hunky-dory
Americanadjective
adjective
Etymology
Origin of hunky-dory
1865–70; hunky 1 + dory < ?
Explanation
When things are hunky-dory, they're just fine. Once you've started your new job and rented a lovely apartment, you might feel that life in a new city is hunky-dory. The informal hunky-dory is perfect for those times when everything is great, going according to plan, or not bad at all. This American-coined adjective has been around since the 1860s, from the now-obsolete hunkey, "all right," which stems from the New York slang hunk, "in a safe position," and the Dutch root honk or "home." The origin of dory is unknown.
Vocabulary lists containing hunky-dory
A Good Kind of Trouble
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"How to Train a Guide Dog" and "The Wonder Dog"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Darkest Minds
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This isn’t to say everything is hunky-dory for Texas Republicans.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026
Although most members speaking on the record said that everything was hunky-dory, they admitted privately that they were worried how the race might develop — and what strains it could put on the delegation.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2023
“OK, it’s associated with a specific tumor type, but does that just mean that it’s living hunky-dory with the tumor, or is it actually causing the tumor to get bigger and progress?”
From New York Times • Sep. 29, 2022
"I am not saying everything is now hunky-dory at my old county and we can all move on," he said.
From BBC • Jan. 12, 2022
“Please tell me, Mr. Branitt, that you have no bad news that would spoil this lovely tropical morning. Tell me everything’s hunky-dory here in Coconut Cove.”
From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
