noun
Uncommon
hare
heh-uh
Hare (noun) means a fast-running, long-eared mammal related to the rabbit but generally larger, with longer legs. Example: “A hare darted across the field ahead of the dogs.”
noun
1
A fast-running, long-eared mammal related to the rabbit but generally larger, with longer legs.
"A hare darted across the field ahead of the dogs."
"Hares don't dig burrows the way rabbits do."
"We saw a hare sitting very still in the long grass at dawn."
verb
1
To move very quickly, especially by running.
"He hared off down the street when he saw the bus leaving."
"The children hared across the playground as soon as the bell rang."
"I had to hare to the station to catch the last train."
How to use hare
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large, fast, long-eared relative of the rabbit; also used as a verb meaning to run off quickly.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "hair" — they sound identical but are unrelated in meaning.
Common pairings
mad as a March hare
hare and hounds
hared off
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Word forms
- Plural
- hares
- Third person singular
- hares
- Past tense
- hared
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ darted across the field ahead of the dogs.
Etymology
From Old English hara, ultimately from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "grey," describing the animal's coat colour.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for hare
See all rhymes for hare →Frequently asked questions
What does “hare” mean?
The word “hare” means a fast-running, long-eared mammal related to the rabbit but generally larger, with longer legs. In plain terms, a large, fast, long-eared relative of the rabbit; also used as a verb meaning to run off quickly.
How do you pronounce “hare”?
“Hare” is pronounced heh-uh (/hɛɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hare” in a sentence?
Here is “hare” used in a sentence: “A hare darted across the field ahead of the dogs.”
What part of speech is “hare”?
Depending on how it is used, “hare” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hare” come from?
The word “hare” comes from Old English. From Old English hara, ultimately from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "grey," describing the animal's coat colour.
Is “hare” a common word?
“Hare” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hare” have?
“Hare” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fast-running, long-eared mammal related to the rabbit but generally larger, with longer legs.
What is the difference between a hare and a rabbit?
A hare is generally larger than a rabbit, with longer legs and longer ears, and is built for fast running. Rabbits and hares are related mammals, but hares are typically solitary and born with fur and open eyes, unlike the more social, burrow-dwelling rabbit.
What does it mean to hare off somewhere?
To hare, used as a verb, means to move very quickly, especially by running, as in "she hared off down the street." The verb draws directly on the animal's reputation for speed.
Why is the hare associated with speed in stories and idioms?
The hare is a fast-running mammal with long legs built for speed, which is why it appears as a symbol of quickness in stories such as the fable of the tortoise and the hare. This same association gives rise to the verb "to hare," meaning to move very quickly.
