ho

[ hoh ]

/ hoʊ /

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interjection

(used as a call to attract attention, sometimes specially used after a word denoting a destination): Westward ho! Land ho!

(used as an exclamation of surprise or delight.)

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of ho

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; a natural exclamation

Other definitions for ho (2 of 7)

ho²

[ hoh ]

/ hoʊ /

interjection

(used as a command to a horse to stop.)

Origin of ho

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English ho, who, from Old French ho, and Old Norse hō; see also whoa

Other definitions for ho (3 of 7)

ho³

or hoe

[ hoh ]

/ hoʊ /

noun, plural hos, hoes, ho's.Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.

a sexually promiscuous woman.

a prostitute; whore.

a woman.

Origin of ho

First recorded in 1965–70; dialectal or African American Vernacular English pronunciation of whore

Other definitions for ho (4 of 7)

Symbol, Chemistry.

holmium.

Other definitions for ho (5 of 7)

[ hoh ]

/ hoʊ /

noun

(in police use) habitual offender.

Other definitions for ho (6 of 7)

ho.

abbreviation

house.

Other definitions for ho (7 of 7)

H.O.

abbreviation

Head Office; Home Office.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ho in a sentence

There was Carol White, a ho-hum homemaker who finds herself besieged by multiple chemical sensitivity in Safe.
Julianne Moore Is Oscar Gold in ‘Still Alice’|Marlow Stern|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lily Allen explained away the poor sales and ho-hum critical reception to Sheezus by…basically blaming other people.
The Biggest Bombs of 2014: ‘Sex Tape,’ Mariah Carey’s Vocals, ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and More|Kevin Fallon|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ho, 42, admitted that he had never stepped out of sight of the government minders but he insisted that was by choice.
North Korea’s Propaganda Art Exhibit in London|Nico Hines|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All 130 employees share a similar vision and all seem very gung ho about their racy products.
James Franco Gets Kinky: Inside the BDSM Porn Documentary 'Kink'|Marlow Stern|August 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Even after the subpoenas started flying, he remained gung-ho on entitlement reform.
2016 Just May Be the GOP Base’s Year|Lloyd Green|August 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The door banged shut behind him and I heard him at the foot of the stairs roaring "Ho-ho-there-ho!"
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
The men did “hold on” most powerfully; they did more, they hauled upon the rope, hand over hand, to a “Yo-heave-ho!”
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
The sailors who had been lounging about the deck sprang up and looked eagerly across the waves, as the cheerful "Sail-ho!"
Stories of Our Naval Heroes|Various
Then Crozier called with a great, cheery voice—what Mona used to call his tally-ho voice.
You Never Know Your Luck, Complete|Gilbert Parker
And p. 48 epeid per ho ts lichanou topos eis apeirous temnetai tomas.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music|David Binning Monro

British Dictionary definitions for ho (1 of 5)

ho¹

/ (həʊ) /

interjection

Also: ho-ho an imitation or representation of the sound of a deep laugh

an exclamation used to attract attention, announce a destination, etcwhat ho!; land ho!; westward ho!

Word Origin for ho

C13: of imitative origin; compare Old Norse hó, Old French ho! halt!

British Dictionary definitions for ho (2 of 5)

ho²

/ (həʊ) /

noun

US Black slang a derogatory term for a woman

Word Origin for ho

C20: from Black or Southern US pronunciation of whore

British Dictionary definitions for ho (3 of 5)

the chemical symbol for

holmium

British Dictionary definitions for ho (4 of 5)

H.O.

abbreviation for

head office

British government Home Office

British Dictionary definitions for ho (5 of 5)

ho.

abbreviation for

house

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for ho

The symbol for holmium.