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hoard

[ hawrd, hohrd ]
/ hɔrd, hoʊrd /
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See synonyms for: hoard / hoarded / hoarding / hoarder on Thesaurus.com

noun
a supply or accumulation that is hidden or carefully guarded for preservation, future use, etc.: a vast hoard of silver.
verb (used with object)
to accumulate for preservation, future use, etc., in a hidden or carefully guarded place: to hoard food during a shortage.
verb (used without object)
to accumulate money, food, or the like, in a hidden or carefully guarded place for preservation, future use, etc.
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Origin of hoard

before 900; Middle English hord(e), Old English hord; cognate with Old Norse hodd,Old High German hort,Gothic huzd treasure; see hide1, hide2

OTHER WORDS FROM hoard

hoarder, nounun·hoard·ed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH hoard

hoard , horde

Words nearby hoard

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

HOARD VS. HORDE

What’s the difference between hoard and horde?

Hoard is a verb meaning to accumulate things and closely guard them, often in a greedy or excessive way, as in Dragons are known for hoarding treasure. It can also be used as a noun to collectively refer to the things that have been accumulated, as in a hoard of treasure. Horde is a noun referring to a large group or mob of people, especially one considered in a negative way, as in I’d rather avoid the hordes of tourists. 

The word horde is also used in a more specific way to refer to a group of nomads. It is especially associated with the Mongol army of the 1200s (sometimes known as the Golden Horde). Horde can also be a verb, meaning to gather or move in a horde, but this use is much less common.

Both words often relate to large groups, but a hoard is an accumulation of items, while a horde is a group of people (or animals).

To remember which spelling to use, remember that nomadic hordes sometimes travel on horses. The word hoard, on the other hand, hoards the letter A all for itself.

Here’s an example of hoard and horde used correctly in a sentence.

Example: A horde of invaders sacked the city and looted the royal treasure hoard. 

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between hoard and horde.

Quiz yourself on hoard vs. horde!

Should hoard or horde be used in the following sentence?

At noon, a _____ of hungry children will descend upon the cafeteria.

How to use hoard in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for hoard

hoard
/ (hɔːd) /

noun
an accumulated store hidden away for future use
a cache of ancient coins, treasure, etc
verb
to gather or accumulate (a hoard)

Derived forms of hoard

hoarder, noun

Word Origin for hoard

Old English hord; related to Old Norse hodd, Gothic huzd, German Hort, Swedish hydda hut

usage for hoard

Hoard is sometimes wrongly written where horde is meant: hordes (not hoards) of tourists
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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