honk

1 of 2

verb

ˈhäŋk 

ˈhȯŋk

honked; honking; honks

intransitive verb

1

: to make the characteristic cry of a goose

2

: to make a sound resembling the cry of a goose

transitive verb

: to cause to honk

honk a horn

honk

2 of 2

noun

: the characteristic cry of a goose

also : a similar sound

Examples of honk in a Sentence

Verb

We could hear the geese honking overhead.

I honked at the car in front of me.

Noun

the honk of a horn

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Thompson’s tenor sax stepped up to the forefront, honking and grooving through this first-tier ska classic, which was originally written and recorded by legendary Jamaican artist Prince Buster in the ’60s and then propelled to a whole new generation of listeners by the Madness cover from 1979. —Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 16 May 2025

Those in attendance carried anti-Musk signs and danced to disco music as cars drove by honking in support. —Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025

Noun

Pollock is one of about 60 people lining the sidewalk outside the CDC on a late Tuesday afternoon holding signs, beating drums and getting honks from workers leaving at the end of the day. —Pien Huang, NPR, 8 May 2025

First came a recorded honk from an unpartnered male goose named Joshua. —Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

imitative

First Known Use

Verb

1813, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1813, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for honk

• bonk
• bronk
• cronk
• tonk

Kids Definition

honk

noun

ˈhäŋk,

ˈhȯŋk

: the cry of a goose

also : a similar sound (as of a horn)

honk verb