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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 notes

In 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

Word forms

hoarded past tense, hoards plural, hoards plural, Hoards plural, hoards singular

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Test yourself on “hoard” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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".

Origin: Old English

engross uphoard

Antonyms

Related words

Rhymes for hoard

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial