# hacks

/ˈhæks/ (US) · /hˈæks/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hacks
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. clever tips or shortcuts

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

clever solutions or shortcuts that make a task easier or more efficient.

For teachers: informal strategies or techniques used to manage time or tasks more efficiently; often used in the context of 'life hacks'.

- She shared some great kitchen hacks to help us save time when cooking dinner.
- The blog gained millions of followers by posting simple productivity hacks that promised to streamline the average workday.

### 2. low-quality writers

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Formal

writers or journalists who produce a lot of work quickly but without much quality or original thought.

For teachers: a derogatory term for writers, especially journalists, who produce dull, unoriginal, or low-quality work for money.

- The politician complained that the local newspaper was full of hacks who didn't check their facts.
- Critics dismissed the screenplay as the work of industry hacks who were merely recycling tired tropes for a quick profit.

### 3. to cut roughly

verb · CEFR B2

to cut something into pieces with rough, heavy blows.

For teachers: to cut or chop something with repeated and irregular blows; the third-person singular present form.

- He hacks at the thick branches until the path is clear enough to walk through.
- The gardener hacks away at the overgrown ivy every spring to prevent it from damaging the brickwork.

Usage: The verb is often followed by the preposition 'at' or 'away'.

### 4. to gain illegal computer access

verb · CEFR B2

to use a computer to connect to another person's computer system without permission.

For teachers: to gain unauthorised access to data in a system or computer; the third-person singular present form.

- The movie shows a character who hacks into a government database in seconds.
- Security experts warn that he hacks into poorly protected networks by exploiting known software vulnerabilities.

## Examples

- I learned some great kitchen hacks to save time.
- The blog post shared five simple travel hacks to help you pack your suitcase more efficiently.
- While some productivity hacks offer immediate results, long-term success usually requires a more disciplined approach to time management rather than just quick fixes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.