honed
Americanadjective
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sharpened on a hone or whetstone.
Our julienne peeler has 12 honed blades for superfine cuts that will make your julienne vegetables look like a restaurant’s.
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made more acute or effective; improved or perfected.
We finish our degrees with highly desirable, finely honed skills, including how to research, how to work hard, and how to think critically.
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(of a hole) enlarged with a hone.
When it comes to the barrel of this rifle, the diameter uniformity and roundness of the honed bore are superb.
verb
Etymology
Origin of honed
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As historian Rick Perlstein related in “Nixonland: The Rise of a President and the Fracturing of America,” Nixon’s anti-communist agit-prop, honed over many decades, was sincere — but it was only part of the story.
From Salon • May 14, 2026
The “Mouth of the South” was a talented sailor who honed his leadership skills—and appetite for risk—under pressure.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026
Supporters pointed to his "strong communication skills" as central to his appeal – skills honed during his broadcasting career.
From BBC • May 8, 2026
Attention has honed in on software companies, which have received more loans from private-market lenders than any other sector, because developments in artificial intelligence are seen to threaten the models of these businesses.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 29, 2026
But my reflexes have been honed on the streets as a bounty hunter.
From "Warcross" by Marie Lu
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
