hone in

verb

honed in; honing in; hones in

intransitive verb

informal

: to move toward or focus attention on an objective

Researchers are honing in on the cause of the disease.

The missile was honing in [=homing in] on its target.

—Bob Greene

… hones in on the plights and victories of the common man …

—Lisa Russell

Hone in vs. Home in: Usage Guide

Hone in is commonly used to mean "to move toward or focus attention on an objective," as in "hone in on a solution," but the use is often regarded as an error. The original and recommended phrase is home in, with home meaning "to move to or toward an objective by following a signal or landmark," as in "an arrow homing in on a target" and in the name of the creature known as the homing pigeon. Confusion between the similar-sounding hone and home likely arose because hone is a more familiar verb, and its meanings of "to sharpen or smooth with a whetstone" and "to make more acute, intense, or effective" can seem apt in the context of zeroing in on an objective. Still, careful writers will want to use home in, or zero in, if they want to avoid criticism.

Examples of hone in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her humanity is foregrounded, and Lloyd Parry avoids sensationalism by honing in on his strengths; his knowledge of the culture and justice system of both Japan and England and his ability to communicate the foibles and quirks of both. —Rebecca Hannigan, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026

In terms of musically honing in? —Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 9 Jan. 2026

After noticing that many open exhibitions in the area seemed focused more broadly on Southern California, the museum’s leadership saw an opportunity to hone in on Orange County artists exclusively. —Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026

Just take the time, hone in and focus and be where everybody was. —Manny Navarro, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of home in

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hone in

• santonin
• calcitonin
• digitonin
• melatonin
• serotonin
• kronen
• onan
• phonon
• ronin