hypo

[ hahy-poh ]

/ ˈhaɪ poʊ /

Informal.

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noun, plural hy·pos.

a hypodermic syringe or injection.

a stimulus or boost.

verb (used with object)

to administer a hypodermic injection to.

to stimulate by or as if by administering a hypodermic injection.

to increase, boost, or augment: to hypo the car's power by installing a bigger engine.

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Origin of hypo

First recorded in 1900–05; by shortening of hypodermic; sense “stimulate” perhaps by association with hype¹; see -o

Other definitions for hypo (2 of 4)

hypo²

[ hahy-poh ]

/ ˈhaɪ poʊ /

noun

sodium thiosulfate.

Origin of hypo

First recorded in 1855–60; shortening of hyposulfite

Other definitions for hypo (3 of 4)

hypo³

[ hahy-poh ]

/ ˈhaɪ poʊ /

noun Archaic.

hypochondria.

Origin of hypo

First recorded in 1700–10; by shortening

Other definitions for hypo (4 of 4)

hypo-

a prefix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “under” (hypostasis); on this model used, especially as opposed to hyper-, in the formation of compound words (hypothyroid).

Also especially before a vowel, hyp- .

Origin of hypo-

<Greek, combining form of hypó under (preposition), below (adv.); cognate with Latin sub (see sub-); cf. up

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH hypo-

hyper-, hypo-

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

How to use hypo in a sentence

The fine reticulated lines in question are caused by the hypo-soda not being thoroughly washed off.
Notes and Queries, Number 177, March 19, 1853|Various
The view here taken of the Hypo-dorian evidently agrees with that of Heraclides Ponticus (supra, p. 10).
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music|David Binning Monro
A point that deserves special notice at this place is the use of the prefix Hypo- (hypo-) in the names of keys.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music|David Binning Monro
In the time of Aristoxenus, then, this technical sense of Hypo- had not yet been established, but was coming into use.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music|David Binning Monro

In this case, then, the upper of the two octaves answers to the Hypo-dorian key, and the lower to the Locrian.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music|David Binning Monro

British Dictionary definitions for hypo (1 of 4)

hypo¹

/ (ˈhaɪpəʊ) /

noun

another name for sodium thiosulphate, esp when used as a fixer in photographic developing

Word Origin for hypo

C19: shortened from hyposulphite

British Dictionary definitions for hypo (2 of 4)

hypo²

/ (ˈhaɪpəʊ) /

noun plural -pos informal

short for hypodermic syringe

British Dictionary definitions for hypo (3 of 4)

hypo-

before a vowel hyp-

prefix

under, beneath, or belowhypodermic

lower; at a lower pointhypogastrium

less thanhypoploid

(in medicine) denoting a deficiency or an abnormally low levelhypothyroid; hypoglycaemia

incomplete or partialhypoplasia

indicating that a chemical compound contains an element in a lower oxidation state than usualhypochlorous acid

Word Origin for hypo-

from Greek, from hupo under

British Dictionary definitions for hypo (4 of 4)

Hypo-

prefix

indicating a plagal mode in musicHypodorian

Word Origin for Hypo-

from Greek: beneath (it lies a fourth below the corresponding authentic mode)

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 hypo

hypo-

hyp-

A prefix that means beneath or below, as in hypodermic, below the skin. It also means less than normal, especially in medical terms like hypoglycemia. In the names of chemical compounds, it means at the lowest state of oxidation, as in sodium hypochlorite.