noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

hood

huud

Hood (noun) means a loose covering for the head, often part of a jacket or coat. Example: “She pulled up her hood as the rain started.”

noun

A loose covering for the head, often part of a jacket or coat.

"She pulled up her hood as the rain started."

"The falcon wore a small leather hood to keep it calm."

The hinged panel covering a car engine (called a "bonnet" in British English).

"Smoke was coming from under the hood."

Informal: a neighbourhood, especially a poor or inner-city one.

"He grew up in a rough hood on the south side of the city."

verb

To cover something with a hood.

"They hooded the falcon before the flight."

How to use hood

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA covering for the head or an engine, or slang for a neighbourhood.

UK vs US

American English "hood" (car part) = British English "bonnet".

Common pairings

pull up the hood open the hood from the hood

Word forms

hooded past tense, hoods plural, hoods plural, hoods plural, hoods plural, hoods singular

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She pulled up her _____ as the rain started.

Etymology

From Old English hōd, related to German Hut ("hat") — all ultimately from a root meaning "to cover."

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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cowl bonnet cover hooded top

Related words

back top pay deal include cover address defense

Rhymes for hood

food good wood mood snood blood flood brood Atwood Osgood Elwood plywood

See all rhymes for hood →

Frequently asked questions

What does “hood” mean?

The word “hood” means a loose covering for the head, often part of a jacket or coat. In plain terms, a covering for the head or an engine, or slang for a neighbourhood.

How do you pronounce “hood”?

“Hood” is pronounced huud (/hʊd/ in IPA).

How do you use “hood” in a sentence?

Here is “hood” used in a sentence: “She pulled up her hood as the rain started.”

What part of speech is “hood”?

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

Where does the word “hood” come from?

The word “hood” comes from Old English. From Old English hōd, related to German Hut ("hat") — all ultimately from a root meaning "to cover.".

Is “hood” a common word?

“Hood” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “hood” have?

“Hood” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a loose covering for the head, often part of a jacket or coat.

What is the difference between a hood and a bonnet?

In American English, the hood is the hinged panel that covers a car's engine. In British English, that same panel is called a bonnet. When talking about clothing, both varieties of English use 'hood' for the head covering.

What is the difference between a hood and a hoodie?

A hood is the loose covering pulled over the head, often attached to a jacket or coat. A hoodie is the whole garment, a sweatshirt or top that has a hood attached to it.

What is the difference between a hood and a hat or cap?

A hood is a soft covering, usually attached to a coat or jacket, that is pulled up over the head. A hat or cap is a separate item worn on the head and not joined to any other garment.

Is a car's hood called a hood in British English?

No. In British English the panel over a car's engine is called a bonnet, not a hood. The word 'hood' for that part is chiefly American English.

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