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

see also:

on the hoof

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

Synonyms of hoof

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

From Valentino pig hoofs to Chanel half-sandals, our feeds are full of silly, outrageous and outright ugly footwear. —Shane O’Neill, Washington Post, 12 June 2026

Rutted migration routes, carved by the constant pounding of animal hooves, littered northern Pennsylvania. —Literary Hub, 10 June 2026

Verb

Director Kyle Balda serves up a cup of comfort and joy with his pleasant, cozy British mystery, a creature feature charmer where cute talking animatronic sheep hoof it about a quaint little village to figure out who slew their genial shepherd George (Hugh Jackman). —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 May 2026

But the actor broke his foot, making the appointment nearly impossible due to the physical demands of hoofing it up and down the Palais steps and shuttling back and forth to screenings and jury commitments. —Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 5 May 2026

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
• on the hoof

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