Hokey
adjective
Something that is not genuine or is obviously fake, usually in a cheesy or corny way.
The special effects in that old movie are pretty hokey compared to today's standards.
Often appears as...
- hokey special effects
- hokey sentimentality
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
adjective
Trying too hard to be sentimental or emotional, often so much that it seems irritating or insincere.
She gave a hokey speech about love and unity that didn't resonate with the audience at all.
Often appears as...
- hokey speech
- hokey romance
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
adjective
Something that is not genuine or is obviously fake, usually in a cheesy or corny way.
The special effects in that old movie are pretty hokey compared to today's standards.
Often appears as...
- hokey special effects
- hokey sentimentality
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
adjective
Trying too hard to be sentimental or emotional, often so much that it seems irritating or insincere.
She gave a hokey speech about love and unity that didn't resonate with the audience at all.
Often appears as...
- hokey speech
- hokey romance
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Not Genuine
Use 'hokey' when something seems artificially done, not natural or real.
That fortune teller's predictions were so hokey; I didn't believe a word.
Pro Tip 2/3Playfully Negative
'Hokey' often implies a playful or light-hearted criticism, not harsh.
That hokey magician made everyone laugh with his obvious tricks.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural References
Recognize 'hokey' in cultural products like movies or songs as intentionally fake.
The hokey dialogue in that superhero film was part of its retro charm.
Pro Tip 1/3Not Genuine
Use 'hokey' when something seems artificially done, not natural or real.
That fortune teller's predictions were so hokey; I didn't believe a word.
Pro Tip 2/3Playfully Negative
'Hokey' often implies a playful or light-hearted criticism, not harsh.
That hokey magician made everyone laugh with his obvious tricks.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural References
Recognize 'hokey' in cultural products like movies or songs as intentionally fake.
The hokey dialogue in that superhero film was part of its retro charm.
Pro Tip 1/3Not Genuine
Use 'hokey' when something seems artificially done, not natural or real.
That fortune teller's predictions were so hokey; I didn't believe a word.
Pro Tip 2/3Playfully Negative
'Hokey' often implies a playful or light-hearted criticism, not harsh.
That hokey magician made everyone laugh with his obvious tricks.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural References
Recognize 'hokey' in cultural products like movies or songs as intentionally fake.
The hokey dialogue in that superhero film was part of its retro charm.
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Video examples
Let's try emotional...
We spend so much time talking past each other and not enough time talking through our disagreements. And if we can start to find compassion for one another, then we have a shot at building common ground. It actually sounds really hokey to say it standing up here, but when you try to put it in practice,
Video examples
This Is Your Brain on...
natural world sapping our ability to get away from screens one thing that's consistent throughout is that nature has healthy physiological benefits psychological benefits and at the risk of sounding hokey spiritual benefits we can take our nature in smaller doses a
Video examples
Let's try emotional...
We spend so much time talking past each other and not enough time talking through our disagreements. And if we can start to find compassion for one another, then we have a shot at building common ground. It actually sounds really hokey to say it standing up here, but when you try to put it in practice,
Video examples
This Is Your Brain on...
natural world sapping our ability to get away from screens one thing that's consistent throughout is that nature has healthy physiological benefits psychological benefits and at the risk of sounding hokey spiritual benefits we can take our nature in smaller doses a
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Jeff Ament
American Musician
I've seen kids turn their lives around. It's usually a kid who's outside of the team-sport world, or maybe has a darker personality or doesn't fit in. Skateboarding ends up being something they latch onto. It sounds hokey, but finding a focus on something - whether it's skateboard or playing your guitar - can be life changing.
Quote examples
Lev Yilmaz
American Artist
Even in a gleefully negative comic, there is optimism, although it's slightly hidden: It comes out through a comic character's sheer tenacity. He keeps going and trying to find some sort of fulfillment regardless of his perpetual failure record. That's a form of hope, a form of optimism. Really hokey I know, but it's true.
Quote examples
Elizabeth Mitchell
American Actress
Acting is so exciting to me. It's a thrill; otherwise I wouldn't do it. Not to be hokey, but I think life is definitely worth living, whether you're working or not. For an actor, the character is the thing... it doesn't matter what medium you're in. as long as you have something to do.
Quote examples
Julie Plec
American Producer
Ghost World' was such an incredibly difficult episode to find the right tone for. I remember at the time it was very divisive because some people hated it - they thought it was cheesy and hokey - and I loved it. When I saw it, I cried my head off, and I was so happy.
Quote examples
John Trudell
American Author
I find there is room in music to talk with music. It may expand ways people can participate with music. It doesn't sound hokey or like some kind of voice-over.
Quote examples
Andrew Garfield
American Actor
I love that idea that if you know someone's story, it's impossible not to love them. This is potentially hokey but incredibly true, as far as I'm concerned.
Quote examples
Winona Ryder
American Actress
It's all about knowing when to listen to that conversation and - without sounding really hokey - when to tune it out and follow your heart.
Quote examples
Kenny Omega
Canadian Athlete
Not to knock TNA, but there's too much hokey talking and segments that don't really involve wrestling.
Quote examples
Robert Urich
American Actor
I know it sounds hokey but I think, ultimately, on television you can't hide who you are.
Quote examples
Stephen Baldwin
American Actor
Loving Jesus is what's most important to me. I know it sounds hokey, but it's the truth.
Quote examples
Jeff Ament
American Musician
I've seen kids turn their lives around. It's usually a kid who's outside of the team-sport world, or maybe has a darker personality or doesn't fit in. Skateboarding ends up being something they latch onto. It sounds hokey, but finding a focus on something - whether it's skateboard or playing your guitar - can be life changing.
Quote examples
Lev Yilmaz
American Artist
Even in a gleefully negative comic, there is optimism, although it's slightly hidden: It comes out through a comic character's sheer tenacity. He keeps going and trying to find some sort of fulfillment regardless of his perpetual failure record. That's a form of hope, a form of optimism. Really hokey I know, but it's true.
Quote examples
Elizabeth Mitchell
American Actress
Acting is so exciting to me. It's a thrill; otherwise I wouldn't do it. Not to be hokey, but I think life is definitely worth living, whether you're working or not. For an actor, the character is the thing... it doesn't matter what medium you're in. as long as you have something to do.
Quote examples
Julie Plec
American Producer
Ghost World' was such an incredibly difficult episode to find the right tone for. I remember at the time it was very divisive because some people hated it - they thought it was cheesy and hokey - and I loved it. When I saw it, I cried my head off, and I was so happy.
Quote examples
John Trudell
American Author
I find there is room in music to talk with music. It may expand ways people can participate with music. It doesn't sound hokey or like some kind of voice-over.
Quote examples
Andrew Garfield
American Actor
I love that idea that if you know someone's story, it's impossible not to love them. This is potentially hokey but incredibly true, as far as I'm concerned.
Quote examples
Winona Ryder
American Actress
It's all about knowing when to listen to that conversation and - without sounding really hokey - when to tune it out and follow your heart.
Quote examples
Kenny Omega
Canadian Athlete
Not to knock TNA, but there's too much hokey talking and segments that don't really involve wrestling.
Quote examples
Robert Urich
American Actor
I know it sounds hokey but I think, ultimately, on television you can't hide who you are.
Quote examples
Stephen Baldwin
American Actor
Loving Jesus is what's most important to me. I know it sounds hokey, but it's the truth.
Example 1 of 10
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