hoof

[hoof, hoof]

noun

plural

hoofs, hooves, hoof. 

1. the horny covering protecting the ends of the digits or encasing the foot in certain animals, as the ox and horse.

2. the entire foot of a horse, donkey, etc.

3. Older Use.,  a hoofed animal, especially one of a herd.

4. Informal.,  the human foot.

verb (used with object)

1. Slang.,  to walk (often followed byit ).

   Let's hoof it to the supermarket.

verb (used without object)

1. Slang.,  to dance, especially to tap-dance.

   He's been hoofing at the Palladium.

hoof

/ huːf /

noun

1. 1. the horny covering of the end of the foot in the horse, deer, and all other ungulate mammals

   2. ( in combination )

      a hoofbeat

2. the foot of an ungulate mammal

3. a hoofed animal

4. facetious,  a person's foot

5. 1. (of livestock) alive

   2. in an impromptu manner

      he did his thinking on the hoof

verb

1. (tr) to kick or trample with the hoofs

2. slang

   1. to walk

   2. to dance

Other Word Forms

• hoofiness noun
• hoofless adjective
• hooflike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoof¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English (noun); Old English hōf; cognate with Old Frisian hōf, Dutch hoef, German Huf, Old Norse hōfr; compare Sanskrit śaphas

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoof¹

Old English hōf; related to Old Norse hōfr, Old High German huof (German Huf ), Sanskrit saphás

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the hoof, (of livestock) not butchered; live.

   The city youngsters were seeing lambs on the hoof for the first time.

Example Sentences

Their reconstruction reveals a tall crest running along the neck and torso, a row of spikes down the tail, and hooves that enclosed the toes.

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I feel the hooves on the cows as they wander through the field.

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Patiently he checked all three horses, the fit of their harnesses and the condition of their hooves, before he climbed into his seat and gathered up the reins.

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“It is hooves, at a gallop. Someone is coming, and quick! Everyone, hide!”

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But before they could begin to play this interesting-sounding game, the clippety-clop of hooves and the clattering of carriage wheels announced that it was too late.

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Related Words

• paw