hone

verb \ ˈhōn \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

honed; honing

transitive verb

1 : to sharpen or smooth with a whetstone

2 : to make more acute, intense, or effective : whet

helped her hone her comic timing
—Patricia Bosworth

—

honer

noun

Recent Examples of hone from the Web

In general, early debates largely serve as a helpful dress rehearsal for candidates to hone their skills before voters really start to tune into the upcoming elections.

— dara kam, OrlandoSentinel.com, "In governor's debate, Democrats avoid fatal gaffes," 19 Apr. 2018
This class is appropriate for rank beginners to experienced photographers who want to hone their skills.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Vernon Edition," 17 Apr. 2018
Virtually every major comic from Richard Pryor to Robin Williams to Jerry Seinfeld used the club as a stepping-stone and returned to hone their acts after gaining fame.

— kansascity, "Final Chapters for April 15, 2018: Milos Forman, Yvonne Staples, Susan Anspach | The Kansas City Star," 14 Apr. 2018
His temperament, honed by that love of competition, propelled Kelly toward the action.

— frank fitzpatrick, Philly.com, "The Philly sports fan who became a WWII hero | Frank's Place," 14 Apr. 2018
While La Blaugrana have had a turbulent recent history with academy prospects, having seen the likes of Adama Traore, Alex Grimaldo and Gerard Gumbau all choose to hone their trade elsewhere.

— SI.com, "Arsenal Steam Ahead of Man City in Pursuit of Barcelona's Teenage Prodigy Robert Navarro," 14 Apr. 2018
Virtually every major comic from Richard Pryor to Robin Williams to Jerry Seinfeld used the club as a stepping-stone and returned to hone their acts after gaining fame.

— Fox News, "Mitzi Shore, Comedy Store owner, dead at 87," 11 Apr. 2018
That's where Gabel specializes, but he's also got an eye for talent, honed after decades in the concert promotion business, Lyman said.

— chuck yarborough, cleveland.com, "2018 Tri-C High School Rock Off: Last 3 bands earn spots in Saturday's Final Exam," 12 Feb. 2018
Ikea butcher block by the range, stained dark to look older, and honed Belgian bluestone by the sink.

— christine pittel, House Beautiful, "How Designer Mary Jo Bochner Updated a 100-Year-Old Kitchen," 1 Apr. 2012

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of hone

see ²hone

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1788

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Hardware Terms

adze, auger, awl, chock, ferrule, punch, tang

hone

noun

: whetstone

Origin and Etymology of hone

Middle English, from Old English hān stone; akin to Old Norse hein whetstone, Latin cot-, cos, Sanskrit śiśāti he whets

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

hone

verb

honed; honing

intransitive verb

1 dialect : yearn —often used with for or after

2 dialect : grumble, moan

Recent Examples of hone from the Web

On Friday DeRozan showed his ability to close a game, a skill honed over his years of experience.

— tania ganguli, latimes.com, "Lakers flash some defense but Raptors rally in second half for the win," 27 Oct. 2017
The conclusion: Cantu has honed his voice, a voice that is like no other in the Bay Area.

— michael bauer, San Francisco Chronicle, "Californios, S.F.’s newest 4-star restaurant, exquisitely reimagines Mexican cuisine," 27 Oct. 2017
Some of these joseki have been analyzed and memorized and honed over generations.

— dawn chan, The Atlantic, "The AI That Has Nothing to Learn From Humans," 20 Oct. 2017
Canopy even boasted a small massage studio, where Gina Matteucci honed her craft.

— nikki delamotte, cleveland.com, "Ohio City art shop and venue Canopy Collective to close Oct. 28," 12 Oct. 2017
Clemson doesn't allow assistant football coaches to speak with reporters, but Moore said Bates honed his skills as a poet by participating in freestyle rap battles with Alabama teammates.

— joseph goodman, AL.com, "Poet coach of Clemson's defensive line a rising star from Alabama," 3 Oct. 2017
Myers said his company uses 156 sources from around the world, including several that rely on artificial intelligence, to hone predictions.

— james rainey, NBC News, "How Forecasters Nailed Harvey’s Massive Rain Dump," 31 Aug. 2017
Since then, Saib has honed a masculine yet cozy look that has attracted clients from around the world.

— alice b-b, ELLE Decor, "English with an Accent," 12 Dec. 2011

Origin and Etymology of hone

Middle French hoigner to grumble

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Dialect Terms

bespoke, boughten, lave, muchacho, nigh, spunk, thunk, toboggan

HONE Defined for Kids

hone

verb \ ˈhōn \

honed; honing

: to sharpen with or as if with a fine abrasive stone

Learn More about hone

See words that rhyme with hone Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hone Spanish Central: Translation of hone Nglish: Translation of hone for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hone for Arabic speakers

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hone

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hone

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hone

honer

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Origin and Etymology of hone

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hone

Origin and Etymology of hone

hone

Recent Examples of hone from the Web

Origin and Etymology of hone

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