noun
Uncommon
hoard
hawd
Hoard (noun) means a hidden store of valuable things, often kept secretly. Example: “The pirates buried their hoard of gold on a remote island.”
noun
1
A hidden store of valuable things, often kept secretly.
"The pirates buried their hoard of gold on a remote island."
"She kept a secret hoard of chocolate in her desk drawer."
verb
1
To collect and store up, often more than is needed, usually out of anxiety or greed.
"During the shortage, some people began to hoard toilet paper."
How to use hoard
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA secret stash of valuables, or the act of stockpiling more of something than you need.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "horde", a large crowd or group of people — they sound identical but mean very different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
hoard supplies
a hoard of treasure
hoard cash
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like hoard.
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
- hoards
- Third person singular
- hoards
- Past tense
- hoarded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The pirates buried their _____ of gold on a remote island.
Etymology
From Old English hord ("treasure, stored-up wealth"), from a Germanic root ultimately meaning "something hidden".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for hoard
board
aboard
onboard
keyboard
cupboard
outboard
seaboard
backboard
starboard
cardboard
surfboard
clipboard
See all rhymes for hoard →
Frequently asked questions
What does “hoard” mean?
The word “hoard” means a hidden store of valuable things, often kept secretly. In plain terms, a secret stash of valuables, or the act of stockpiling more of something than you need.
How do you pronounce “hoard”?
“Hoard” is pronounced hawd (/hɔɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “hoard” in a sentence?
Here is “hoard” used in a sentence: “The pirates buried their hoard of gold on a remote island.”
What is another word for “hoard”?
Words with a similar meaning to “hoard” include engross and uphoard.
What is the opposite of “hoard”?
The opposite of “hoard” — its antonyms — is declutter.
What part of speech is “hoard”?
Depending on how it is used, “hoard” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hoard” come from?
The word “hoard” comes from Old English. From Old English hord ("treasure, stored-up wealth"), from a Germanic root ultimately meaning "something hidden".
Is “hoard” a common word?
“Hoard” is an uncommon word in modern English.
