hoy

UK: /hɔɪ/ US: (hoi)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

hoy¹  (hoi), n. [Naut.]

1. Nautical, Naval Terms a heavy barge used in harbors.
2. Nautical, Naval Terms a vessel of the 17th and 18th centuries, usually slooprigged, used for fishing and coastal trading.

• Middle Dutch hoey
• 1485–95

hoy²  (hoi), interj. 

1. (used as an exclamation to attract attention.)

n. 

2. a shout or hail.

• 1350–1400; Middle English; variant of hey

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

hoy / hɔɪ/ noun

1. a freight barge
2. a coastal fishing and trading vessel, usually sloop-rigged, used during the 17th and 18th centuries

Etymology: 15th Century: from Middle Dutch hoei

hoy / hɔɪ/ interjection

1. a cry used to attract attention or drive animals

Etymology: 14th Century: variant of hey