hunky-dory

[huhng-kee-dawr-ee, -dohr-ee]

See more synonyms for hunky-dory on Thesaurus.com

adjective Slang.

about as well as one could wish or expect; satisfactory; fine; OK.

Origin of hunky-dory

1865–70; hunky¹ + dory < ?

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for hunky-dory

fair, decent, sufficient, respectable, common, adequate, tolerable, neat, terrific, marvelous, first-rate, splendid, nifty, gratifying, satisfying, enjoyable, acceptable, delightful, pleasant, mild

Examples from the Web for hunky-dory

Contemporary Examples of hunky-dory

The NCAA even got in on the act, and—quelle surprise—also determined that everything was hunky-dory.
Sham Classes and Crime Coverups Are the NCAA Normal
Robert Silverman
June 7, 2014
So all is now hunky-dory between London and Tripoli now the bomber is back in the bosom of his family.
Why the Lockerbie Bomber Was Freed
Andrew Neil
August 24, 2009

Historical Examples of hunky-dory

We kin fix that all hunky-dory, an' Johnson, he won't neveh know.
Old Man Curry
Charles E. (Charles Emmett) Van Loan
Said to go to bed and get a good sleep and I'd be all hunky-dory in the morning.
The Night-Born
Jack London
But you seem to be feeling all hunky-dory again, and why don't you come join us in the Good Citizens' League, old man?
Babbitt
Sinclair Lewis
Without leaving the boat, fishing arm-deep into the brush, he announced, "All hunky-dory."
Dutch Courage and Other Stories
Jack London
You're all right, and the spot is hunky-dory, and it's the durned old boat hez made the mistake, begosh!
The Jimmyjohn Boss and Other Stories
Owen Wister

British Dictionary definitions for hunky-dory

hunky-dory

adjective

informal very satisfactory; fine

Word Origin for hunky-dory

C20: of uncertain origin

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

Word Origin and History for hunky-dory

adj.

1866, American English (popularized c.1870 by a Christy Minstrel song), perhaps a reduplication of hunkey "all right, satisfactory" (1861), from hunk "in a safe position" (1847) New York City slang, from Dutch honk "goal, home," from Middle Dutch honc "place of refuge, hiding place." A theory from 1876, however, traces it to Honcho dori, said to be a street in Yokohama, Japan, where sailors went for diversions of the sort sailors enjoy.