noun
Uncommon
hound
hownd
Hound (noun) means a dog, especially a breed bred for hunting by scent or sight. Example: “The hound picked up the scent and bolted into the woods.”
noun
1
A dog, especially a breed bred for hunting by scent or sight.
"The hound picked up the scent and bolted into the woods."
2
A person obsessively devoted to pursuing something (often in compounds).
"He's a real bargain hound at the flea market."
"She's a news hound, always chasing the next scoop."
verb
1
To pursue or harass someone relentlessly.
"Reporters hounded the actor for a comment outside the courthouse."
"Debt collectors kept hounding him with calls."
How to use hound
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hunting dog, or (as a verb) to pester someone relentlessly, or (as a suffix) someone fixated on chasing a particular thing.
Common pairings
hound someone for
a pack of hounds
news hound
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Word forms
- Plural
- hounds
- Third person singular
- hounds
- Past tense
- hounded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ picked up the scent and bolted into the woods.
Etymology
From Old English hund, "dog." In medieval English hound was the everyday word for dog, while "dog" referred to a bulldog-like breed — the two swapped roles by the 1500s.
Class of 1500
hound joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for hound
See all rhymes for hound →Frequently asked questions
What does “hound” mean?
The word “hound” means a dog, especially a breed bred for hunting by scent or sight. In plain terms, a hunting dog, or (as a verb) to pester someone relentlessly, or (as a suffix) someone fixated on chasing a particular thing.
How do you pronounce “hound”?
“Hound” is pronounced hownd (/haʊnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “hound” in a sentence?
Here is “hound” used in a sentence: “The hound picked up the scent and bolted into the woods.”
What part of speech is “hound”?
Depending on how it is used, “hound” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hound” come from?
The word “hound” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Old English. From Old English hund, "dog." In medieval English hound was the everyday word for dog, while "dog" referred to a bulldog-like breed — the two swapped roles by the 1500s.
Is “hound” a common word?
“Hound” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hound” have?
“Hound” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dog, especially a breed bred for hunting by scent or sight.
