1 B2 idiomatic informal
To perform or portray something in an exaggerated, theatrical way.
"The actor really hammed up the villain's death scene, getting a big laugh from the audience."
separable
ham up
B2 informal separable transitive
A shorter variant of 'ham it up': to perform or behave in an exaggerated or overdramatic way.
In plain English
To act in a very over-the-top way to get attention or make people laugh.
What does "ham up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
Less common than 'ham it up'. Typically takes a direct object (e.g. 'ham up a scene', 'ham up a performance'). Primarily used in discussions of theatre, film, or television.
Words that pair with "ham up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
scene performance role moment reaction character
How to conjugate "ham up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
ham up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hams up
he/she/it
Past simple
hamed up
yesterday
Past participle
hamed up
have + pp
-ing form
haming up
continuous
Hear "ham up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "ham up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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