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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.

See Examples For:

You can find a ho-hum plea for unity in her answer, as well as a guarded concession that Thanksgiving is a holiday that the vast majority of Americans cherish.

From Slate Aug. 4, 2026

GDP, the official scorecard of the economy, is forecast to rise at a ho-hum annual pace of 1.8% in the three months from April to June.

From MarketWatch Jul. 29, 2026

That might look ho-hum after the past three years’ bull run, but 8% is well above the average inflation-adjusted annual return of the index since the 1950s.

From Barron's Apr. 17, 2026

The Patriots haven’t seen many elite quarterbacks this season, instead beating a ho-hum collection of passers that includes Cam Ward, Spencer Rattler, Dillon Gabriel and 40-year-old Joe Flacco.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 4, 2026

She’d left school in June with ho-hum hair and returned in September with Oh My Goddess! without layers or fancy highlights.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

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