hookup
noun
Simple meaning
A device providing a connection between a power source and a user.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
huukuhpSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈhʊkəp
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
slang
A brief sexual relationship or encounter.
sometimes attributive
A device providing a connection between a power source and a user
“Some campsites have electrical hookups for trailers.”
slang
A sexual partner.
sometimes attributive
A connection.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- C1 · Advanced (estimated)
- Frequency
- Uncommon
- Formality
- Technical
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: A brief sexual relationship or encounter.
Used this way, hookup is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It turns up most in relationships and everyday conversation contexts.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Very casual
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Playful
- Usage feel
- Playful and informal
Where it naturally appears
- Relationships
- Everyday conversation
- Social media/informal writing
Usage note
Slang: natural in speech and messages between friends, but out of place in school, work or published writing.
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use hookup
- “Some campsites have electrical hookups for trailers.”noun
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
A connection intended to be used for a limited time.
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Words can change meaning depending on context.
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.