Definition

1. Noun:
   • A neighborhood, especially one's own neighborhood or an urban area, often used in informal or slang contexts: The word "hood" is a shortened, colloquial form of "neighborhood." It typically refers to the specific area where someone lives or grew up, particularly within an urban setting. This usage often carries connotations of community, local identity, and sometimes socioeconomic challenges.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He grew up in a tough hood on the south side of the city. (He grew up in a challenging neighborhood on the south side of the city.)
  • She's always looking out for her friends from the old hood. (She's always looking out for her friends from her old neighborhood.)
  • The artist's music is deeply influenced by his experiences in the hood. (The artist's music is deeply influenced by his experiences in his neighborhood.)

Advanced Usage

• "the 'hood": A common phrasing using the definite article, often to personify or specifically reference the concept of one's own or a typical urban neighborhood.

  • He made it out of the 'hood and became a successful businessman. (He succeeded in leaving his neighborhood and became a successful businessman.)

• "hood mentality" or "hood rich": Phrases describing attitudes or financial status specific to or stereotypical of such neighborhoods.

  • That flashy jewelry is just hood rich; he doesn't have real savings. (That flashy jewelry just shows wealth for the neighborhood; he doesn't have real savings.)

Variants and Related Words

• Neighborhood (n): The standard, full term for a residential district or community area.
• -hood (suffix): A suffix denoting a state, condition, or quality (e.g., childhood, brotherhood). This is etymologically related but represents a different, more formal usage.

Synonyms

• Neighbourhood (UK spelling): The British English spelling of the standard term.
• District: A more formal term for a defined area within a town or city.
• Locale: A place or location, especially with reference to events or circumstances.

Related Phrases

• "In the hood": Being in or from the neighborhood.

  • You see anything strange going down in the hood, you let me know. (If you see anything strange happening in the neighborhood, you let me know.)

• "Hood classic": Refers to something (like a film, song, or style) that is considered iconic or deeply representative of urban neighborhood culture.

  • That movie is a hood classic; everyone from my area knows every line. (That movie is a neighborhood classic; everyone from my area knows every line.)

Noun

1. (slang) a neighborhood