honing

[hoh-ning]

noun

1. the act or process of sharpening something on a hone or whetstone.

   The precision alignment of the cutting machine’s knife is not affected by the honing of the sharp edge.

2. the act or process of improving or perfecting a skill, program, idea, etc..

   In the third and fourth years the emphasis is on advanced training, with further honing of skills and attainment of competency.

adjective

1. serving to sharpen or perfect.

   It is always a honing experience for us to come here and answer your questions—we leave a little sharper than we were before.

Word History and Origins

Origin of honing¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; hone ¹ + -ing ¹ for the noun senses; hone ¹ + -ing ² for the adjective sense

Example Sentences

The pair spent the next several hours honing the central idea and spitballing about plot and character development.

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On the other hand, Verley wants to modernise dairy by honing the nutritional benefits while reducing the environmental impacts.

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Winning them over with humor helped him with “honing my bravery on stage.”

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It’s a skill Snell has been honing ever since that fateful October night five years ago.

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"It's always been a super strength and I know how much our group of forwards pride themselves in keeping it right up there. They spend a lot of time honing those fine arts."

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