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

Representations of fauna include horses, deer, wild oxen, and at least one bear, though identification is difficult due to the limited depiction of details such as eyes, nostrils, hooves, manes, and coats. — News Desk, Artforum, 6 Nov. 2026

Soon some limbs broke about 50 yards away and a faint sound of hooves on the ground could be heard. — Rich Larocco, Outdoor Life, 2 Nov. 2026

Verb

For Brighton’s equaliser, United played around the Brighton defence, only for Dalot to hoof the ball into the middle of the pitch, forcing centre-forward Benjamin Sesko to head back towards his own goal under pressure. — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Some fans shelled out $250 for parking at the American Dream mall and walked through a tunnel to MetLife, while others hoofed it to the stadium. — Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 16 June 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