hunky-dory
/'hʌɳki'dɔ:ri/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: - Being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition: The word "hunky-dory" describes a state where everything is acceptable, adequate, or going well. It is an informal, often lighthearted term indicating that a situation is fine or good.
Usage
"hunky-dory" is used as a predicate adjective, typically following a linking verb like "be" or "seem." It is informal and somewhat dated slang, often used to give a cheerful or reassuring assessment.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- "to be hunky-dory": This is the standard construction, used to declare that a situation is perfectly satisfactory.
- The negotiations were difficult, but the final agreement is hunky-dory for both parties.
Variants and Related Words
- Hunky (adj, informal, dated): In good condition; satisfactory. (Note: This is a separate, older slang term from which "hunky-dory" is derived, but it is rarely used alone in modern English.)
- Fine (adj): Of high quality; satisfactory.
- Okay/OK (adj): Satisfactory; acceptable.
Synonyms
- All right: Satisfactory; acceptable.
- Fine: In good condition; satisfactory.
- Okay/OK: Satisfactory; adequate.
- Satisfactory: Fulfilling expectations or needs.
Antonyms
- Unsatisfactory: Not good enough.
- Unacceptable: Not satisfactory or allowable.
- Poor: Of low quality; not good.
Idioms and Phrases
- Everything is hunky-dory: A common phrase meaning everything is perfectly fine or going smoothly.
- The inspector left, so as far as they're concerned, everything is hunky-dory.
Adjective
- being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
- an all-right movie
- the passengers were shaken up but are all right
- is everything all right?
- everything's fine
- things are okay
- dinner and the movies had been fine
- another minute I'd have been fine