hokum: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, somewhat dated
Quick answer
What does “hokum” mean?
Nonsense, pretentious or meaningless talk or ideas.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Nonsense, pretentious or meaningless talk or ideas; bunk.
Material of a sensational or sentimental nature used to appeal to a popular audience, especially in entertainment (e.g., theatre, film, politics).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is of American origin and is more commonly used and recognized in American English.
Connotations
In both varieties, it implies something is phony, contrived, or of low quality. In the UK, it may sound like an Americanism.
Frequency
Used infrequently in both, but more likely encountered in American media, historical contexts, or discussions of show business.
Grammar
How to Use “hokum” in a Sentence
[Subject] is (just/utter) hokum.Don't believe [Object]'s hokum.The speech was full of hokum about...Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could describe exaggerated marketing claims or a flawed business proposal. 'The startup's valuation was based on financial hokum.'
Academic
Very rare. Might be used critically in media or cultural studies to describe manipulative popular narratives.
Everyday
Used to dismiss an implausible story or excuse. 'His alibi is complete hokum.'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hokum”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a hokum'). It is generally uncountable.
- Confusing it with 'hocus-pocus', which relates more to trickery or magic.
- Misspelling as 'hocum' or 'hokam'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's informal and dismissive, but not offensive or profane.
It is an early 20th-century American word, likely a blend of 'hocus-pocus' and 'bunkum'.
It is generally too informal for academic or official formal writing. Use 'nonsense', 'fallacy', or 'specious argument' instead.
They are very close synonyms. 'Bunkum' (from 'Buncombe') emphasizes insincere or empty talk, especially by politicians. 'Hokum' often adds a layer of contrived, sensational, or sentimental appeal, particularly in entertainment.
Nonsense, pretentious or meaningless talk or ideas.
Hokum: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhəʊ.kəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhoʊ.kəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “That's a bunch of hokum.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HOAX aimed at a COMmunity = HOKUM. It's nonsense designed to fool a group.
Conceptual Metaphor
DECEPTION IS CHEAP ENTERTAINMENT / FALSEHOOD IS LOW-QUALITY MATERIAL.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'hokum' LEAST likely to be used?