honed

American  

[hohnd] / hoʊnd /

adjective

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. (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.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of hone.

Etymology

Origin of honed

hone ¹ ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

His apparent confidence rests on legal arguments the Fed has honed over many decades even though the law is open to interpretation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Ahmed’s electrifying turn illuminates the text, carefully honed by Lesslie.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

The tips and tricks I use to avoid being taken in by sloppy A.I.-generated content are the same that have always existed for combating disinformation, and were honed mainly during my humanities degree.

From Slate • Mar. 28, 2026

On paper, that sounds like a good split - Newey's design genius and Cowell's engineering management expertise honed through two decades at Mercedes' F1 engine factory.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

A low-lying branch almost caught Shanti in the nose, but her reflexes had been honed through years of synchronized Tae Kwon Do, and she whapped it away at the last moment.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

Related Words

• cogent
• concise
• laconic
• succinct
• terse
• trenchant