noun
Uncommon
hornet
HAW-niht
Hornet (noun) means a large, aggressive wasp with a painful sting. Example: “A hornet's nest hung from the eaves of the barn.”
noun
1
A large, aggressive wasp with a painful sting.
"A hornet's nest hung from the eaves of the barn."
"He was stung twice by a hornet while mowing the lawn."
2
Figuratively, someone who repeatedly makes small but relentless attacks.
"The critic was a hornet, stinging every new release in his column."
How to use hornet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large stinging wasp, or figuratively a persistently annoying critic.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
hornet's nest
stir up a hornet's nest
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Word forms
- Plural
- hornets
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____'s nest hung from the eaves of the barn.
Etymology
From Old English hyrnetu, from a Germanic root related to "horn" — the insect was named for its horn-like antennae.
Rhymes for hornet
See all rhymes for hornet →Frequently asked questions
What does “hornet” mean?
The word “hornet” means a large, aggressive wasp with a painful sting. In plain terms, a large stinging wasp, or figuratively a persistently annoying critic.
How do you pronounce “hornet”?
“Hornet” is pronounced HAW-niht (/ˈhɔɹ.nɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “hornet” in a sentence?
Here is “hornet” used in a sentence: “A hornet's nest hung from the eaves of the barn.”
What part of speech is “hornet”?
“Hornet” is a noun.
Where does the word “hornet” come from?
The word “hornet” comes from Old English. From Old English hyrnetu, from a Germanic root related to "horn" — the insect was named for its horn-like antennae.
Is “hornet” a common word?
“Hornet” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hornet” have?
“Hornet” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, aggressive wasp with a painful sting.
