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Hooky: meaning, definitions and examples

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hooky

 

[ ˈhʊki ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

playful activity

Hooky refers to a playful act of skipping school or work, usually to engage in leisure activities. It is often done with a sense of excitement and rebellion against authority. People who play hooky might spend the day doing something fun, like going to the beach or hanging out with friends. While it can be a one-off event, people might also make a habit of it, leading to more serious consequences.

Synonyms

absence, skipping, truancy

Examples of usage

  • He played hooky to go to the concert.
  • They decided to play hooky and have a picnic in the park.
  • She often played hooky during the spring to enjoy the nice weather.

Translations

Translations of the word "hooky" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fugir da escola

🇮🇳 स्कूल से गायब होना

🇩🇪 Schule schwänzen

🇮🇩 bolos sekolah

🇺🇦 прогулянка

🇵🇱 wagarować

🇯🇵 学校をサボる

🇫🇷 faire l'école buissonnière

🇪🇸 hacer pellas

🇹🇷 okuldan kaytarmak

🇰🇷 학교를 빼먹다

🇸🇦 الهروب من المدرسة

🇨🇿 ujít školu

🇸🇰 zmeškať školu

🇨🇳 逃课

🇸🇮 izpuščati šolo

🇮🇸 sneiða hjá skóla

🇰🇿 мектептен қашу

🇬🇪 მოსწავლეობის გარეშე ყოფნა

🇦🇿 məktəbdən yayınmaq

🇲🇽 faltar a la escuela

Etymology

The term 'hooky' is believed to have originated in the late 19th century in the United States. It is often linked to the word 'hook', suggesting that someone is hooked or caught in the act of skipping school or work. The playful nature of the term reflects a childhood spirit, where the act of skipping responsibilities is seen as an adventure or a form of rebellion. The phrase 'playing hooky' became popular in various cultures, often associated with children and teenagers who sought to escape the rigid nature of academic or work obligations. Over time, hooky has evolved into a more general term, used to describe any instance where someone purposefully avoids their duties in favor of enjoyment.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,300, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.