noun

ham

ham

I like ham and cheese sandwiches.

I like ham and cheese sandwiches.

He is a terrible ham on stage.

He is a terrible ham on stage.

((noun)) a type of cured pork meat I like ham and cheese sandwiches.

((noun)) an actor who overacts He is a terrible ham on stage.

Synonyms: (meat) pork, bacon; (actor) overactor

From Old English 'hamm' meaning 'hollow or bend of the knee', referring to the cut of meat from a pig's hind leg.

Picture a pig happily eating a ham sandwich. For the actor meaning, think of an actor being 'ham-fisted' or clumsy in their performance.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.