Ham

/ham/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A cut of meat from the back leg of a hog or pig, typically cured or smoked.

For dinner, we served a delicious honey-glazed ham.

The hind leg of an animal, especially when preserved or cured.

He ordered a plate of thinly sliced ham with cheese.

A performer who exaggerates or overacts.

The actor was such a ham, always striving for the laugh.

verb

To play the role of a ham actor; to overact.

He loves to ham it up in front of the audience.

Middle English 'ham', from Old English 'ham(g)', meaning 'home, dwelling, or the back of the knee'.

ham it up:

To overact or exaggerate behavior.

ham sandwich:

A simple but often unremarkable meal.

ham-handed:

Clumsy or awkward in handling situations.

A person who draws attention to themselves or their antics, often negatively.

She was such a ham at the party, always making jokes and loud comments.

An amateur radio operator.

He spends hours chatting with other hams around the world.