noun
hooky
HOOK-ee/hˈʊki/
Absence from school, work, or duty without permission.
The kids play hooky from school to spend the day outside.
Etymology
Origin uncertain. A Dutch game-name and hook it, “run away,” are competing explanations for play hooky.
In context
skip school today they weren't playing hooky they were instead participating in a coordinated left-wing political protest
More examples
- She plays hooky from work without telling her boss.
- We got caught playing hooky when our teacher saw us downtown.
- He never plays hooky, even when his friends skip class.
Similar words
- truancy
- Truancy refers especially to unauthorized, often repeated absences from school.
- absenteeism
- Absenteeism describes a pattern of missing work or school, sometimes legitimately.