# ho

> English word · Interjection · IPA /həʊ/ · frequency rank #4,951

## Definitions
1. Used to attract attention to something sighted, usually by lookouts.
2. halloo; hey; a call to excite attention, or to give notice of approach.
3. Said accompanying a vigorous attack.

## Etymology
From Middle English ho, hoo (interjection), from Old English hō, probably from Old Norse hó! (interjection, also, a shepherd's call). Compare Dutch ho, German ho, Old French ho! (“hold!, halt!”).

## Easily confused with
- **HR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-hr)
- **HP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-hp)
- **HQ** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-hq)
- **Hu** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-hu)
- **hv** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-hv)
- **how** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-how)
- **hot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-hot)
- **hop** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-hop)
- **huh** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-huh)
- **hug** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-hug)
- **hub** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-hub)
- **hon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-hon)
- **hut** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-hut)
- **hum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-hum)
- **hog** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-hog)
- **hue** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-hue)
- **hoo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-hoo)
- **hun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-hun)
- **HUD** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-hud)
- **hwy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ho-vs-hwy)

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ho