hoof

1 of 2

noun

ˈhu̇f  ˈhüf 

plural hooves ˈhüvz  ˈhu̇vz  also hoofs

1

: a curved covering of horn that protects the front of or encloses the ends of the digits of an ungulate mammal and that corresponds to a nail or claw

2

: a hoofed foot especially of a horse

Illustration of hoof

• 1 2 3 4 parts of wall
• 1 toe
• 2 side walls
• 3 quarters
• 4 buttresses
• 5 bulbs
• 6 sole
• 7 frog

hoof

2 of 2

verb

hoofed; hoofing; hoofs

transitive verb

1

: to walk especially with haste

hoofed it to the lecture hall

2

: kick, trample

intransitive verb

: to move on the feet

especially : dance

Phrases

on the hoof

of a meat animal : before butchering : living

90¢ a pound on the hoof

Synonyms

Verb

• walk
• tread
• foot (it)

Examples of hoof in a Sentence

Verb

The cast was hoofing on the stage.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The following day, though, Sovereignty’s trainer Bill Mott said the horse had a scrape on his right front pastern, which is above the hoof. —Ben Church, CNN Money, 7 June 2025

At one point the trail, no wider than a horse’s hoof and notched into the mountainside, crossed a steep rock slide. —Jim Carmichel, Outdoor Life, 5 June 2025

Verb

One of Wilson’s focuses was a substantial investment in the ventilation system, which hoofs up smoke like a super-charged Dyson. —William Goodman, Robb Report, 1 May 2025

Not since The Rosie O’Donnell Show have we been so frequently blessed with hoofers hoofing about in the ol’ hoof house. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hōf; akin to Old High German huof hoof, Sanskrit śapha

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1641, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing hoof

• cloven hoof
• hoof-and-mouth disease
• hoof it

Rhymes for hoof

• goof
• kloof
• poof
• proof
• roof
• spoof
• woof
• aloof
• behoof
• disproof
• flameproof
• foolproof

Kids Definition

hoof

1 of 2 noun

ˈhu̇f  ˈhüf 

plural hooves ˈhu̇vz 

ˈhüvz

or hoofs

1

: a covering of horn that protects the front of or encloses the ends of the toes of some mammals (as horses, oxen, and pigs) and that corresponds to a nail or claw

2

: a hoofed foot especially of a horse

hoofed

ˈhu̇ft

ˈhüft

ˈhu̇vd

ˈhüvd

adjective

hoof

2 of 2 verb

1

: to walk especially with haste

hoofed it to class

2

: to dance especially as a performer

watched the cast hoofing on the stage

hoofer noun

Medical Definition

hoof

noun

ˈhu̇f  ˈhüf 

plural hooves ˈhüvz  ˈhu̇vz  also hoofs

: a horny covering that protects the ends of the toes of numerous plant-eating 4-footed mammals (as horses or cattle)

also : a hoofed foot