honky-tonk

[ hong-kee-tongk, hawng-kee-tawngk ]

noun

1. a cheap, noisy, and garish nightclub or dance hall.

adjective

1. Also honk·y-tonk·y [] of, relating to, or characteristic of a honky-tonk:

   a honky-tonk atmosphere.

2. characterized by or having a large number of honky-tonks:

   the honky-tonk part of town.

3. 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)

1. to visit or frequent honky-tonks.

honky-tonk

/ ˈhɒŋkɪˌtɒŋk /

noun

1. slang.
   1. a cheap disreputable nightclub, bar, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      a honky-tonk district

2. a style of ragtime piano-playing, esp on a tinny-sounding piano
3. a type of country music, usually performed by a small band with electric and steel guitars
4. ( as modifier )

   honky-tonk music

Other Words From

• honky-tonker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of honky-tonk¹

1890–95, Americanism; rhyming compound based on honk

Word History and Origins

Origin of honky-tonk¹

C19: rhyming compound based on honk

Related Words

• bar
• bistro
• cabaret
• disco
• discotheque
• restaurant
• saloon
• speakeasy
• tavern
• watering hole