What does honcho mean?
A honcho is an informal word for a person in charge, especially a senior executive, manager, or influential leader within an organization. Its use often carries a conversational or mildly humorous tone, as in "the company honcho," and may imply someone powerful who exercises considerable control. The term can also denote a dominant figure in a political movement, campaign, or other cause. Although now well established in standard English, it is more characteristic of informal American usage than formal British English. Because it conveys a broad sense of leadership rather than a specific title, honcho is especially useful for describing a recognizable person who ultimately holds authority, whether in a corporation, institution, or movement. It should not be confused with similarly sounding words such as hunch, which means a feeling or intuition based on intuition.
A person who is in charge, especially a senior executive or leading figure in an organization.
"After the merger, he became the honcho of both divisions."
Informal; especially common in American English.
A leading or highly influential figure in a movement, organization, or cause.
"The campaign's chief honcho addressed supporters by telephone."
This extended sense is informal and can sound approving or dismissive depending on context.
The regular plural is honchos; the final o takes -es.
"The two honchos met to resolve the dispute."
This American nickname for a boss began as a Japanese military title meaning "group leader," a phrase American servicemen encountered during World War II.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of honcho
The word comes from Japanese 班長 (hanchō), a term used for a group or section leader, especially in a military context. It was borrowed into American English during the period of the Second World War, initially with the meaning of a Japanese military officer and later generalized to mean a boss or person in charge. The Japanese term combines 班, meaning a group or section, with 長, meaning chief or head.
How honcho is actually used
The word is informal and often slightly humorous or mildly disparaging. It is especially common in American English and can suggest an executive or powerful figure accustomed to having the final say.
Easily confused with honcho
A honcho is a person in charge, whereas a hunch is a strong feeling or an idea based on intuition.
A honcho is a leader or boss, while honked refers to sounding a horn or being made prominent.