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noun Uncommon

hoe

hoh

Hoe (noun) means a hand tool with a long handle and flat blade, used for weeding and turning soil. Example: “She used a hoe to clear weeds from the vegetable patch.”

noun
1
A hand tool with a long handle and flat blade, used for weeding and turning soil.
"She used a hoe to clear weeds from the vegetable patch."
verb
1
To dig, weed, or work soil using a hoe.
"The farmhands spent the morning hoeing the cornfield."

How to use hoe

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA garden tool for weeding and turning soil, or the act of using one.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with the crude slang term "ho" — they're unrelated despite sounding similar.

Easily confused with

Word forms

hoed past tense, hoes plural, hoes plural, hoes plural, Hoes plural, hoes singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She used a _____ to clear weeds from the vegetable patch.

Etymology

From Old French houe, ultimately from a Frankish word meaning "to hew".

Origin: Old French

Rhymes for hoe

See all rhymes for hoe →

Frequently asked questions

What does “hoe” mean?

The word “hoe” means a hand tool with a long handle and flat blade, used for weeding and turning soil. In plain terms, a garden tool for weeding and turning soil, or the act of using one.

How do you pronounce “hoe”?

“Hoe” is pronounced hoh (/hoʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “hoe” in a sentence?

Here is “hoe” used in a sentence: “She used a hoe to clear weeds from the vegetable patch.”

What part of speech is “hoe”?

Depending on how it is used, “hoe” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “hoe” come from?

The word “hoe” comes from Old French. From Old French houe, ultimately from a Frankish word meaning "to hew".

Is “hoe” a common word?

“Hoe” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “hoe” have?

“Hoe” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hand tool with a long handle and flat blade, used for weeding and turning soil.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial