# Hon

/ˈhɑn/ (US) · /hˈɒn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hon
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. sweetheart

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal · American English

a short, informal way of saying 'honey' to a partner, friend, or family member.

For teachers: a clipped form of 'honey' used as a term of endearment. Common in spoken American English, particularly in the South.

- Can you pass me the car keys, hon?
- The waitress at the diner called everyone 'hon' as she poured their coffee, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

## Examples

- Can you pass me the keys, hon?
- The waitress smiled and asked, 'What can I get for you, hon?' as she handed us the menus.
- While intended as a gesture of warmth in certain dialects, addressing a stranger as 'hon' in a formal business setting may be interpreted as a breach of professional etiquette.

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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.