ham
ham Lexical Profile
ham Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A cut of meat from the upper part of a pig's hind leg, typically salted, dried, or smoked.
"She made a delicious sandwich using toasted rye bread, sharp cheddar, and thick slices of smoked ham."
An actor or performer who exaggerates their movements and emotions, often seeking to draw extra attention to themselves.
"The lead actor was a bit of a ham, constantly playing to the audience and wildly overstating his dramatic lines."
A licensed amateur radio operator.
"My grandfather has been a licensed ham for over forty years and frequently converses with people across the globe."
• verb
To exaggerate one's actions or emotions, especially while performing or seeking attention (often followed by 'up').
"The comedian decided to ham it up during the final sketch to get a few extra laughs from the lively crowd."
• Rhymes for ham
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'hamm' meaning 'hollow or bend of the knee', originating from Proto-Germanic 'hamma-'. The theatrical sense of an overacting performer is likely derived from 'ham-fatter', referencing low-grade actors who used ham fat to remove their stage makeup.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.