English Reference

Word

hookup

/ˈhʊˌkəp/

Definition

n. a casual meeting for sex between two people who are not in a serious relationship. It can also mean a helpful connection to someone who can get you something special.

n. a casual sexual encounter between two individuals who do not have an ongoing romantic relationship; also a connection or arrangement that provides access to something.

Examples

“Their hookup at the party was awkward the next morning.”

“He used a family hookup to land a summer internship at the law firm.”

“The dating app explicitly markets itself as a platform for hookups rather than long-term relationships, which has made it controversial in some communities.”

Examples

simple

“Their hookup at the party was awkward the next morning.”

contextual

“He used a family hookup to land a summer internship at the law firm.”

complex

“The dating app explicitly markets itself as a platform for hookups rather than long-term relationships, which has made it controversial in some communities.”

Real-World Examples

“The labels “boyfriend” and “girlfriend” don’t really apply, but it’s way beyond a casual hookup.”
TIME · 22 Mar 2023

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference