hooky

¹ American  

[hook-ee] / ˈhʊk i /

Or hookey

noun

1. unjustifiable absence from school, work, etc. (usually used in the phraseplay hooky ).

   On the first warm spring day the boys played hooky to go fishing.

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hooky ² American  

[hook-ee] / ˈhʊk i /

adjective

hookier, hookiest

1. full of hooks. hook.

2. hook-shaped.

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hooky British  

/ ˈhʊkɪ /

noun

1. informal truancy, usually from school (esp in the phrase play hooky )

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hooky Idioms  

1. see play hooky.

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Etymology

Origin of hooky¹

1840–50, perhaps alteration of phrase hook it escape, make off

Origin of hooky¹

First recorded in 1545–55; hook ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Onlookers are invited to be mesmerized by the fuchsia flames of Gwi-Ma’s realm as the movie’s hooky synth pop bounces in the foreground.

From Salon

This, it’s a riff, and then it’s a hooky riff with a cool melody over it.

From Los Angeles Times

Angular riffs, clever-clever lyrics and big, hooky choruses were the order of the day.

From BBC

And don’t we all need a big healing sing-along moment with “The Middle” with the hooky reassurance that everything will be all right, all right?

From Los Angeles Times

“But I was like, I think people love when you do that because it’s weird and funny and hooky. It makes you remember the song more because it’s not correct.”

From Los Angeles Times