# ham

/ˈhæm/ (US) · /hˈæm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ham
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. meat

noun · CEFR A2

meat from the back leg of a pig, usually preserved with salt or smoke.

For teachers: the meat from the thigh of a hog, typically cured, salted, or smoked for preservation.

- He made a quick sandwich with ham and cheese for his lunch.
- The chef prepared a honey-glazed ham for the holiday feast, carving thin slices for the guests as they arrived.

### 2. an overacting performer

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

an actor who performs with too much emotion or in a way that is not natural.

For teachers: an actor who performs in an exaggerated, showy, or amateurish manner.

- The lead actor was a bit of a ham, always making huge gestures.
- Critics dismissed the performance as the work of a total ham who prioritised cheap laughs over emotional depth.

### 3. radio operator

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a person who has a hobby of using a radio to talk to people around the world.

For teachers: a licensed amateur radio operator who uses designated frequencies for non-commercial exchange of messages.

- My uncle is a ham who spends his evenings talking to people in Japan.
- During the power outage, local hams provided the only reliable communication link between the village and the emergency services.

### 4. anatomy

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the back of the thigh or the buttock area of a person or animal.

For teachers: the region of the back of the thigh and buttock in humans or the corresponding part of a quadruped.

- The athlete felt a sharp pain in his ham while sprinting.
- The veterinarian examined the horse's hams for signs of muscle wastage following the injury.

### 5. to overact

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to act with too much emotion or energy to get attention.

For teachers: to overact or perform with exaggerated emotions, often used with 'it up'.

- The children started to ham it up as soon as they saw the camera.
- The comedian chose to ham it up for the television audience, knowing that subtle irony might be lost on the viewers at home.

## Examples

- I would like a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch.
- The family served a honey-glazed ham as the centerpiece for their holiday dinner.
- Artisanal producers often age their ham for several months to develop a complex, salty profile that pairs well with mild cheeses and fruits.

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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.