Gung ho — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈgəŋ-ˈhō/

Meaning & Definition of Gung ho

Gung ho (adjective)

  1. extremely or overly zealous or enthusiastic

Gung ho (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. showing urgent desire or interest

    "he was gung ho about his accounting class"

    similar: agog, antsy, anxious, ardent, athirst, avid, bonkers (informal), crazy, desirous, eager, enthused, enthusiastic, excited, gaga, geeked (slang), great, greedy, hepped up, hopped-up, hot, hungry, impatient, juiced, keen, nuts, pumped, raring, solicitous, stoked (slang), thirsty, voracious, wild, champing at the bit, chomping at the bit
    related: engaged, interested, happy, hung up, obsessed, ambitious, appetent, covetous, craving, hankering, longing, pining, breathless, restive, restless, amenable, disposed, game, glad, inclined, ready, unreluctant, willing
    opposite: apathetic, indifferent, uneager, unenthusiastic
    near: casual, incurious, insouciant, nonchalant, unconcerned, uninterested, aloof, detached, disinterested, impassive, stolid, halfhearted, lackadaisical, languid, languorous, lukewarm, spiritless, averse, disinclined, hesitant, loath, reluctant, unwilling

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Gung ho

The most common words with a similar meaning to Gung ho:

Slang: geeked, stoked
Informal: bonkers
agog, antsy, anxious, ardent, athirst, avid, crazy, desirous, eager, enthused, enthusiastic, excited, gaga, great, greedy, hepped up, hopped-up, hot, hungry, impatient, juiced, keen, nuts, pumped, raring, solicitous, thirsty, voracious, wild, champing at the bit, chomping at the bit

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Gung ho

Words with the opposite meaning of Gung ho:

apathetic, indifferent, uneager, unenthusiastic

Related Words for Gung ho

engaged, interested, happy, hung up, obsessed, ambitious, appetent, covetous, craving, hankering, longing, pining, breathless, restive, restless, amenable, disposed, game, glad, inclined, ready, unreluctant, willing

Near Antonyms of Gung ho

casual, incurious, insouciant, nonchalant, unconcerned, uninterested, aloof, detached, disinterested, impassive, stolid, halfhearted, lackadaisical, languid, languorous, lukewarm, spiritless, averse, disinclined, hesitant, loath, reluctant, unwilling

Origin & Etymology of Gung ho

Gung ho!, motto (interpreted as meaning "work together") adopted by certain U.S. marines, from Chinese (Beijing) gōnghé, short for Zhōngguó Gōngyè Hézuò Shè Chinese Industrial Cooperative Society

First known use: 1942

Frequently Asked Questions about Gung ho

What does "Gung ho" mean?

"Gung ho" means extremely or overly zealous or enthusiastic. As an adjective, it is defined as: extremely or overly zealous or enthusiastic.

What is another word for "Gung ho"?

Other words for "Gung ho" include agog, antsy, anxious, ardent, athirst, avid, bonkers and crazy. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Gung ho" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Gung ho"?

There are 57 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Gung ho". Common alternatives include agog, antsy, anxious, ardent, athirst, avid, bonkers, crazy, desirous and eager.

What is the opposite of "Gung ho"?

Antonyms of "Gung ho" include apathetic, indifferent, uneager and unenthusiastic. Near antonyms include casual, incurious, insouciant and nonchalant.

How do you use "Gung ho" in a sentence?

Examples of "Gung ho" in a sentence: "he was gung ho about his accounting class".

Is "Gung ho" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Gung ho" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Gung ho"?

"Gung ho" is pronounced /ˈgəŋ-ˈhō/.

What is the origin of the word "Gung ho"?

"Gung ho" comes from Gung ho!, motto (interpreted as meaning "work together") adopted by certain U.S. marines, from Chinese (Beijing) gōnghé, short for Zhōngguó Gōngyè Hézuò Shè Chinese Industrial Cooperative Society. First known use: 1942.