Hookup
/ˈhʊkʌp/
Definitions
3 meaningsA casual sexual encounter, often unplanned and without the expectation of a relationship.
/ˈhʊkʌp/
A casual sexual encounter.
After the concert, they went back to his place for a hookup.
💡 Simply: Imagine you meet someone and have a fun night, maybe even a kiss or more, but it's not a date or a boyfriend/girlfriend thing. That's a hookup! It's like a quick connection.
👶 For kids: When two grown-up friends hang out and have fun with each other and maybe share a secret kiss.
More Examples
She regrets the hookup and wished she hadn't.
He's known for his casual hookups, not relationships.
How It's Used
"They had a hookup after the party."
"She's not looking for a relationship; she's just into hookups."
The act of connecting or joining something, particularly electrical or mechanical components.
/ˈhʊkʌp/
An instance of connecting or joining.
The hookup for the internet modem was straightforward.
💡 Simply: It's like when you 'hook' a charger into your phone or when you connect a speaker to your music player. It's the process of putting things together to work.
👶 For kids: When you put two things together, like when you plug in your toy.
More Examples
He checked all the hookups before turning on the new machine.
Make sure the electrical hookup is grounded properly.
How It's Used
"The electrician showed me the hookup for the new appliances."
"The hookup was easy; just plug and play."
To connect or join, especially electrically or mechanically. Also used informally to mean to begin a casual sexual relationship.
/ˈhʊkʌp/
To connect or join.
Can you hook up the new printer to the computer?
💡 Simply: It's like when you connect two things together. You can hook up a TV to a cable box, or you can hook up with someone at a party, meaning have a quick romantic thing.
👶 For kids: To put two things together, like putting a plug in a wall.
More Examples
He showed her how to hook up the speakers.
They ended up hooking up after a night of dancing.
How It's Used
"Can you hook up the cable box?"
"They hooked up with each other at the party."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
Hook up with someone
To have a casual sexual encounter with someone.
"He hooked up with her at the bar last night."
Hook up
To connect or join things together (electricity, mechanics, etc.).
"Can you hook up the sound system?"
From the verb 'hook up,' which originated in the mid-20th century, initially meaning to connect or join things together. Its meaning evolved, particularly in American English, to refer to a casual sexual encounter.
The term's sexual connotation developed in the 20th century, particularly in American English, while the technical usage dates back further. Usage has increased as casual sexual encounters have become more normalized in some cultures.