verb
Uncommon
hector
HEHK-tuh
Hector (verb) means to bully or intimidate someone through loud, aggressive bluster. Example: “Stop hectoring the waiter — it wasn't his fault.”
verb
1
To bully or intimidate someone through loud, aggressive bluster.
"Stop hectoring the waiter — it wasn't his fault."
"The coach hectored the referees all game long."
"The angry customer hectored the shop assistant until the manager arrived."
noun
1
A blustering bully who tries to intimidate through loud, aggressive behavior.
"He was a hector at school, always picking on smaller kids."
"Nobody liked the new foreman, a loud hector who shouted at everyone."
"Don't be a hector; people listen better when you speak calmly."
How to use hector
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo push someone around with loud, aggressive nagging or intimidation.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the verb "to hector" with the given name Hector — context makes it clear, but they're historically linked.
Common pairings
hector someone into
stop hectoring
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like hector.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- hectors
- Third person singular
- hectors
- Past tense
- hectored
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Stop _____ the waiter — it wasn't his fault.
Etymology
From Hector, the noble Trojan warrior in Homer's Iliad. Ironically, the verb sense came from swaggering London gangs of the 1600s who called themselves "Hectors" after the hero's reputation for boldness — but their bullying behavior twisted the name into an insult.
Class of 1600
hector joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for hector
vector
rector
sector
ejector
Spector
director
detector
defector
injector
inspector
collector
protector
See all rhymes for hector →
Frequently asked questions
What does “hector” mean?
The word “hector” means to bully or intimidate someone through loud, aggressive bluster. In plain terms, to push someone around with loud, aggressive nagging or intimidation.
How do you pronounce “hector”?
“Hector” is pronounced HEHK-tuh (/ˈhɛktɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hector” in a sentence?
Here is “hector” used in a sentence: “Stop hectoring the waiter — it wasn't his fault.”
What part of speech is “hector”?
Depending on how it is used, “hector” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “hector” come from?
The word “hector” dates back to around 1600.
Is “hector” a common word?
“Hector” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hector” have?
“Hector” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to bully or intimidate someone through loud, aggressive bluster.
What is the difference between hector and bully as verbs?
To hector means specifically to intimidate someone through loud, aggressive bluster or blustering speech, while bully is a broader term covering any form of intimidation, including physical or repeated abuse. Hectoring emphasises noisy, hectoring talk rather than sustained mistreatment.
Is hector a formal or informal word?
Hector is a somewhat literary or formal word, more likely to appear in writing than in everyday casual speech, where bully or badger would be more common. It's often used to describe someone who lectures or scolds others loudly and aggressively.
Can hector be used as a noun as well as a verb?
Yes, as a noun a hector is a blustering bully who tries to intimidate others through loud, aggressive behavior, matching the verb's meaning of aggressive intimidation. Both forms describe the same pattern of loud, bullying conduct.
