Humdinger
n.joyful, energeticplayful
What it means
An outstanding, remarkable, or unusually impressive example of its kind.
Reach for it when giving exuberant informal praise to an event, object, or performance
The final match was a humdinger that stayed close until the last point.
Choose between these
5- playful
cracker
lively regional speech suits an excellent event
not when Cracker varies by dialect and has offensive meanings in some contexts.
- playful
appearance or performance makes an immediate powerful impression
not when Knockout can reduce a person to appearance; it also jars in solemn recognition.
- everyday
one example clearly rises above the rest
not when Standout is measured and lacks humdinger's delighted surprise.
- formal
tour de force
masterful execution of a difficult work deserves expert praise
not when Tour de force reserves grand praise for mastery, not merely an exciting game or meal.
- literary
wonder at exceptional craft or ingenuity is central
not when Marvel suggests awe more than lively entertainment.
Said against
3- dud
- disappointment
- mediocrity
It naturally appears in
3- real humdinger
The season finale is a real humdinger with a generous surprise ending.
- quite a humdinger
Their first debate was quite a humdinger but remained respectful.
- humdinger of a game
We watched a humdinger of a game from the back row.
Where this comes from
- Wiktionary, English noun sense: a striking or extraordinary person or thing opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.