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

• ambulate
• foot (it)
• leg (it)
• pad
• step
• traipse
• tread
• walk

Examples of hoof in a Sentence

Verb

The cast was hoofing on the stage.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The tracks were already well-rounded at the point of the hoof, showing that the bull had been pawing the ground. —Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 15 Aug. 2024

His head went up and down, the sound of his hooves like the Pony Express. —Matthew Klam, The New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2024

Verb

Teams hustle to overwhelm an opponent’s base before a rival group claims theirs; as the contestants hoof through dense foliage, a drone shot soars over to capture the frenetic scramble. —Siren Goes Off, Vulture, 16 June 2023

The usefulness of it while hoofing away from predators (or toward food) may have driven natural selection, the researchers say. —Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2023

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

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