hose

1 of 2

noun

ˈhōz 

plural hose or hoses

1

plural hose

a(1)

: a cloth leg covering that sometimes covers the foot

(2)

: stocking, sock

b(1)

: a close-fitting garment covering the legs and waist that is usually attached to a doublet by points

(2)

: short breeches reaching to the knee

2

: a flexible tube for conveying fluids (as from a faucet or hydrant)

hose

2 of 2

verb

hosed; hosing

transitive verb

1

a

: to spray, water, or wash with a hose

—often used with down

hose down a stable floor

b

slang : to fire automatic weapons at

—usually used with down

2

slang : to deprive of something due or expected : trick, cheat

Synonyms

Noun

• sock
• stocking

Verb

• beat
• bilk
• bleed
• cheat
• chisel
• chouse
• con
• cozen
• defraud
• diddle
• do
• do in
• euchre
• fiddle
• fleece
• flimflam
• gaff
• hustle
• mulct
• nobble [British slang]
• pluck
• ream
• rip off
• rook
• screw
• shake down
• short
• shortchange
• skin
• skunk
• squeeze
• stick
• stiff
• sting
• sucker
• swindle
• thimblerig
• victimize

Examples of hose in a Sentence

Noun

There are several hoses stored in the shed.

We need another 50 feet of hose.

Verb

when the guy failed to return with our money, we realized that we had been hosed

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Spending $15 on a 5-gallon bag with a hose is much more my style. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2025

The hose method: Cleaning durable rugs with a hose is generally safe, but don't attempt this on a wool rug. —Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025

Verb

At least three firefighters could be seen hosing down the home. —Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 29 Mar. 2025

Dramatic video showed firefighters hosing down the smoldering wreck from atop a building on Fairview’s Industrial Avenue, where the crash took place at around 6:10 a.m., according to Fairview Deputy Police Chief John Pierotti. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hosa stocking, husk; akin to Old High German hosa leg covering

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hose

• fire hose
• garden hose
• panty hose
• support hose
• trunk hose

Rhymes for hose

• blows
• brose
• chose
• cloze
• cose
• crows
• doughs
• doze
• floes
• flows
• foes
• froze

Kids Definition

hose

1 of 2 noun

ˈhōz 

1

plural hose

a

: stocking, sock

b

: a close-fitting garment covering the legs and waist worn by men in about 1600

c

: short pants reaching to the knee

2

plural hose or hoses : a flexible tube for carrying fluid

hose

2 of 2 verb

hosed; hosing

: to spray, water, or wash with a hose