hoe

¹

[ hoh ]

noun

1. a long-handled implement having a thin, flat blade usually set transversely, used to break up the surface of the ground, destroy weeds, etc.
2. any of various implements of similar form, as for mixing plaster or mortar.

verb (used with object)

, hoed, hoe·ing.

1. to dig, scrape, weed, cultivate, etc., with a hoe.

verb (used without object)

, hoed, hoe·ing.

1. to use a hoe.

Hoe

²

[ hoh ]

noun

1. Richard, 1812–86, U.S. inventor and manufacturer of printing-press equipment.
2. his father Robert, 1784–1833, U.S. manufacturer of printing presses.

hoe

/ həʊ /

noun

1. any of several kinds of long-handled hand implement equipped with a light blade and used to till the soil, eradicate weeds, etc

verb

1. to dig, scrape, weed, or till (surface soil) with or as if with a hoe

Derived Forms

• ˈhoer, noun
• ˈhoeˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• hoer noun
• hoelike adjective
• un·hoed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoe¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English howe, from Old French houe, from Germanic; compare Middle Dutch houwe, Old High German houwa “mattock”; akin to hew

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoe¹

C14: via Old French houe from Germanic: compare Old High German houwā, houwan to hew , German Haue hoe

Idioms and Phrases

see tough row to hoe .

Example Sentences

Pollard got behind the wheel of a machine called a reverse hoe.

From The Daily Beast

I think that this is a very tough row to hoe, an a transformation that will take place over decades if it happens at all.

From The Daily Beast

Simpson slumped around for a bit, and then, in an awkward coup de grace, proceeded to dance what she later called a "hoe-down."

From The Daily Beast

In a category called "About Cleveland" it reads: "im a hoe and I sleep with anybody and anything that has a DIKK."

From The Daily Beast

Her worn-out blue petticoat is lighted up by a moonbeam; in her hand she appears to have a hoe.

From Project Gutenberg

Whatever it was, the rebuke was convincing, for the woman dropped her hoe and went mumbling into the house.

From Project Gutenberg

The mode of culture is to plow between the rows and hoe the plants carefully.

From Project Gutenberg

He even tries to help her hoe those terrible rows of corn that has come up so beautifully and is growing so well.

From Project Gutenberg

The narrow or hilling hoe follows the operation of the sprouting hoe.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bore
• bulldoze
• burrow
• clean
• discover
• dredge
• drill
• enter
• excavate
• exhume
• go into
• gouge
• harvest
• penetrate
• scoop
• search
• shovel
• sift
• uncover
• unearth