How to pronounce hokum
Say it like HOH-kum. Hokum has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hokum. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HOH
- kum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hokum pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- kumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of hokum
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: HOH-kum.
What does hokum mean?
- (An instance of) meaningless nonsense with an outward appearance of being impressive and legitimate.
- (An instance of) excessively contrived, hackneyed, or sentimental material in a film, television program, theater production, etc.
- A film, television program, theater production, etc., containing excessively contrived, hackneyed, or sentimental material.
Where does hokum come from?
Uncertain; first attested as US theater slang, possibly a blend of hocus-pocus + bunkum.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with hokum
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of hokum.
Questions about saying hokum
How do you pronounce hokum?
Say HOH-kum. The American pronunciation is /ˈhoʊkəm/. In British English it is /ˈhəʊkəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hokum?
Hokum has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOH). Broken into parts: HOH · kum.
Is hokum pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈhəʊkəm/ (HOH-kum).