Hokey

/ˈhoʊki/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Silly, contrived, or lacking in seriousness; overly sentimental or pretentious.

The movie was filled with hokey dialogue that made it hard to take the plot seriously.

Tasteless or artificial; lacking depth or authenticity.

The restaurant's decor was a bit hokey, with plastic plants and faux antiques everywhere.

Not genuine; insincere.

His hokey performance felt rehearsed and unconvincing during the heartfelt scene.

Origin unknown, possibly from hokey-pokey, referring to something that is not genuine.

hokey pokey

A children's game or dance, also refers to something nonsensical or silly.

it's all hokey

Referring to something as being phony or insincere.

corny

Overly sentimental or unsophisticated.

kitschy

Art or objects that are considered to be in poor taste but appreciated in a somewhat ironic way.

Used to describe something as over-the-top or exaggerated.

That advertisement was so hokey, with all the cheesy effects.

Refers to behavior that is overly sentimental or false.

She always puts on this hokey act when she's trying to impress someone.