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

On multiple occasions throughout the two-day festival, freight trains ploddingly rolled by during sets, prompting conductors to honk their horns and spark revelrous applause from the crowd. —Mark Gray, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2024

Burnett would belt and honk and sling herself around the stage, playing Winnifred too loud and too broad and therefore exactly right; Parker, regardless of her comedy skills, is not the same kind of physically robust, almost circusy performer, and that revealed the show’s weaknesses. —Christopher Bonanos, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2024

Noun

They’re treated to Glenn’s first signature good-bye horn honk of the season. —Emma Soren, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

honk

noun

ˈhäŋk,

ˈhȯŋk

: the cry of a goose

also : a similar sound (as of a horn)

honk verb