Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [hang-kee-pang-kee]
- /ˈhæŋ kiˈpæŋ ki/
- /ˈhæŋk.i ˈpæŋk.i/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [hang-kee-pang-kee]
- /ˈhæŋ kiˈpæŋ ki/
Definitions of hanky-panky word
- noun hanky-panky unethical behavior; deceit: When the bank teller bought an expensive car and house, they suspected there might be some hanky-panky going on. 1
- noun hanky-panky illicit sexual relations. 1
- uncountable noun hanky-panky Hanky-panky is used to refer to sexual activity between two people, especially when this is regarded as improper or not serious. 0
- uncountable noun hanky-panky If you describe behaviour as hanky-panky, you disapprove of it because it is dishonest or breaks rules. 0
- noun hanky-panky dubious or suspicious behaviour 0
- noun hanky-panky foolish behaviour or talk 0
Information block about the term
Origin of hanky-panky
First appearance:
before 1835 One of the 34% newest English words
1835-45; rhyming compound; compare initial h, p of higgledy-piggledy, hocus-pocus, hodgepodge, etc.
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Hanky-panky
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
hanky-panky popularity
This term is known only to a narrow circle of people with rare knowledge. Only 7% of English native speakers know the meaning of this word.
According to our data most of word are more popular. This word is almost not used. It has a much more popular synonym.
Synonyms for hanky-panky
noun hanky-panky
- amour — An amour is a love affair, especially one which is kept secret.
- chicanery — Chicanery is using cleverness to cheat people.
- dalliance — If two people have a brief romantic relationship, you can say that they have a dalliance with each other, especially if they do not take it seriously.
- deception — Deception is the act of deceiving someone or the state of being deceived by someone.
- dirty pool — unethical, unfair, or unsportsmanlike conduct.
Antonyms for hanky-panky
noun hanky-panky
- faithfulness — strict or thorough in the performance of duty: a faithful worker.
- honesty — the quality or fact of being honest; uprightness and fairness.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with h
- Words starting with ha
- Words starting with han
- Words starting with hank
- Words starting with hanky
- Words starting with hankyp
- Words starting with hankypa
- Words starting with hankypan
- Words starting with hankypank
- Words starting with hankypanky