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Synonyms

ho-hum

American  
[hoh-huhm, -huhm] / ˈhoʊˈhʌm, -ˌhʌm /

interjection

  1. (an exclamation expressing boredom, weariness, or contempt.)

adjective

  1. dull, boring, or routine; so-so.

    a ho-hum performance.
ho-hum British  
/ ˈhəʊˌhʌm /

adjective

  1. informal lacking interest or inspiration; dull; mediocre

    a ho-hum album
"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

Etymology

Origin of ho-hum

First recorded in 1920–25

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.

Even with a 4-8 record, the Cincinnati Bengals entered Week 14 with an opportunity to push for a playoff spot inside a ho-hum AFC North division.

From The Wall Street Journal

So the report was judged to be a bit ho-hum at first glance.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s possible to envision marvelous things for Tesla and still be ho-hum on the stock.

From Barron's

Scheffler, who came into Saturday at five under par, struggled with the putter and finished with a ho-hum par 72.

From Los Angeles Times

What should be a nasty hoot, however, is closer to a ho-hum.

From Los Angeles Times

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.