[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/hammy/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [H](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/h/) / hammy

# hammy

adjective (hammy, hammier, hammiest) — (informal)

«hammy» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (informal) Acting in an over-the-top, exaggerated, not natural way. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammy/#m1)
2. Tasting or smelling of ham. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammy/#m2)

### In the lessons

In drama: «hammy acting» is too big and showy; a «ham» is an actor who overacts. In everyday talk: «That was a bit hammy!» A mild tease, often funny.

### Examples

- His acting in the school play was very hammy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammy/#x1)
- The villain gave a hammy laugh. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammy/#x2)
- Don't be so hammy — just say the line. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammy/#x3)
- The film was fun but hammy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammy/#x4)
- The soup had a hammy taste. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammy/#x5)
- She did a hammy faint on the sofa. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammy/#x6)

### Note

Informal. From «ham» = an actor who overacts. Comparative: hammier.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «hammy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammy/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«hammy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/hammy.html) on Mova free.