hoity-toity

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˌhɔɪtiˈtɔɪti/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈhɔɪtiˈtɔɪti/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(hoi′tē toi′tē)


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
hoi•ty-toi•ty /ˈhɔɪtiˈtɔɪti/USA pronunciation   adj. 
  1. pretentious;
    snobbish.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
hoi•ty-toi•ty  (hoi′tē toi′tē),USA pronunciation adj. 
  1. assuming airs;
    pretentious;
    haughty.
  2. giddy;
    flighty.

n. 
  1. giddy behavior.
  • rhyming compound based on hoit to romp, riot (now obsolete) 1660–70

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
hoity-toity / ˌhɔɪtɪˈtɔɪtɪ/
  1. arrogant or haughty
Etymology: 17th Century: rhyming compound based on C16 hoit to romp, of obscure origin
'hoity-toity' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
highty-tighty

Forum discussions with the word(s) "hoity-toity" in the title:


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