WordGarden.iohoi
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈɔɪ/
US
- /ˈhɔɪ/
Meanings
Interjection
used as an informal Dutch greeting or farewell
used as a call to attract attention
Noun
a small coastal ship or harbor barge
Beyond the definition
The term "hoi" is rarely used by itself. In English, you almost always see it in the Greek phrase "hoi polloi" (pronounced "hoy po-LOY"), which means "the many." In everyday use, the phrase refers to ordinary people or the general public, often in a rude or snobbish way. For example, someone might complain that a quiet beach was spoiled by the hoi polloi. Because the phrase can sound class-conscious and insulting, it is usually best to use it with care.
The word "hoi" is the Greek plural form of the article "the." On its own, it is not a normal English vocabulary word, but English speakers know it from the expression "hoi polloi," which means "the many." In English, that phrase refers to ordinary people, especially when the speaker wants to sound dismissive or superior. It often suggests that the people being described are not part of an educated, rich, or fashionable group.
Imagine a guest at an exclusive club grumbling that "hoi polloi are showing up everywhere now." The speaker is not simply saying "people." They are drawing a line between an "in" group and everyone else, and they are suggesting that the newcomers do not belong. That is why the phrase often carries a sharp social edge.
A useful note for language learners: because "hoi" already means "the," the phrase "the hoi polloi" is technically redundant, or "the the many." Even so, many English speakers still say it, and it appears often in writing and speech. If you use "hoi polloi" today, people will usually hear not just "ordinary people" but also a tone of class judgment. For that reason, it is better understood as a marked, often critical expression than as a neutral everyday term.
Examples
- 1
Social class
The old club was once for nobles, but now the hoi polloi can walk right in.
- Cautionthe hoi polloi
ordinary people; often joking or snobbish, and can sound insulting
- 2
Travel joke
"We can't all fly first class," she joked. "Some of us have to travel with the hoi polloi."
- 3
Snobbish insult
When he called local supporters the hoi polloi, he sounded rude and snobbish.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- hoi