Hunky-dory Definition & Meaning

American

British

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms hunky-dory American [huhng-kee-dawr-ee, -dohr-ee] / ˈhʌŋ kiˈdɔr i, -ˈdoʊr i /

adjective

Slang.

1. about as well as one could wish or expect; satisfactory; fine; OK.

hunky-dory British / ˌhʌŋkɪˈdɔːrɪ /

adjective

1. informal very satisfactory; fine

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of hunky-dory

1865–70; hunky 1 + dory < ?

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Going to take a one-week vacation that was previously planned, and be back in a week, and everything will be peachy-keen and hunky-dory,” he said.

From Salon

Brown is the main reason it was clear that not everything was hunky-dory for the Eagles, even before the team lost its first game of the season.

From The Wall Street Journal

Although most members speaking on the record said that everything was hunky-dory, they admitted privately that they were worried how the race might develop — and what strains it could put on the delegation.

From Los Angeles Times

"Not everything is going to be going hunky-dory for you. Finding a way to win is something we've got better at."

From BBC

“OK, it’s associated with a specific tumor type, but does that just mean that it’s living hunky-dory with the tumor, or is it actually causing the tumor to get bigger and progress?”

From New York Times

Related Words

• attractive
• commendable
• excellent
• exquisite
• great
• laudable
• praiseworthy
• unreal
• valuable
• wonderful

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.