hone
hohn
Hone (verb) means to sharpen, especially a blade, using a fine stone. Example: “He honed the kitchen knives before carving the roast.”
verb
1
To sharpen, especially a blade, using a fine stone.
"He honed the kitchen knives before carving the roast."
2
To improve or refine a skill over time.
"She spent years honing her craft as a stand-up comedian."
"The team honed its strategy through months of practice."
noun
1
A fine-grained stone used for sharpening blades.
"He ran the razor over the hone a few times before shaving."
How to use hone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something sharper or better, whether that's a blade or a skill.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "home in on" — "hone in on" is a very common error; the traditional correct phrase is "home in on".
Easily confused with
Common pairings
hone a skill
hone your craft
hone a blade
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Word forms
- Plural
- hones
- Third person singular
- hones
- Past tense
- honed
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
View more →Related words
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.
