hone
Hone (verb) means to sharpen, especially a blade, using a fine stone. Example: “He honed the kitchen knives before carving the roast.”
How to use hone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something sharper or better, whether that's a blade or a skill.
Don't confuse with "home in on" — "hone in on" is a very common error; the traditional correct phrase is "home in on".
Word forms
honed past tense, honed past tense, hones plural, hones plural, hones singular, hones singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ the kitchen knives before carving the roast.
Etymology
From Old English hān ("stone"), related to Proto-Germanic and ultimately Proto-Indo-European roots meaning "to sharpen".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for hone
See all rhymes for hone →Frequently asked questions
What does “hone” mean?
The word “hone” means to sharpen, especially a blade, using a fine stone. In plain terms, to make something sharper or better, whether that's a blade or a skill.
How do you pronounce “hone”?
“Hone” is pronounced hohn (/hoʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “hone” in a sentence?
Here is “hone” used in a sentence: “He honed the kitchen knives before carving the roast.”
What part of speech is “hone”?
Depending on how it is used, “hone” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “hone” come from?
The word “hone” comes from Old English. From Old English hān ("stone"), related to Proto-Germanic and ultimately Proto-Indo-European roots meaning "to sharpen".
Is “hone” a common word?
“Hone” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “hone” have?
“Hone” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to sharpen, especially a blade, using a fine stone.