honky-tonk
[ hong-kee-tongk, hawng-kee-tawngk ]
/ ˈhɒŋ kiˌtɒŋk, ˈhɔŋ kiˌtɔŋk /
noun
a cheap, noisy, and garish nightclub or dance hall.
adjective
Also honk·y-tonk·y
[hong-kee-tong-kee, hawng-kee-tawng-] /ˈhɒŋ kiˌtɒŋ ki, ˈhɔŋ kiˌtɔŋ-/.
of, relating to, or characteristic of a honky-tonk: a honky-tonk atmosphere.
characterized by or having a large number of honky-tonks: the honky-tonk part of town.
Music.
noting a style of ragtime piano-playing characterized by a strict two-four or four-four bass, either contrapuntal or chordal, and a melody embellished with chords and syncopated rhythms, typically performed on a piano whose strings have been muffled and given a tinny sound.
verb (used without object)
to visit or frequent honky-tonks.
Origin of honky-tonk
1890–95,
Americanism; rhyming compound based on
honk
OTHER WORDS FROM honky-tonk
honk·y-tonk·er, nounWords nearby honky-tonk
honiton,
honk,
honker,
honkey,
honky,
honky-tonk,
honolulu,
honor,
honor bound,
honor bright,
honor camp
British Dictionary definitions for honky-tonk
honky-tonk
/ (ˈhɒŋkɪˌtɒŋk) /
noun
US and Canadian slang
- a cheap disreputable nightclub, bar, etc
- (as modifier)a honky-tonk district
a style of ragtime piano-playing, esp on a tinny-sounding piano
a type of country music, usually performed by a small band with electric and steel guitars
(as modifier)
honky-tonk music
Word Origin for honky-tonk
C19: rhyming compound based on
honk