honk

[ hongk, hawngk ]

/ hɒŋk, hɔŋk /

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noun

the cry of a goose.

any similar sound, as of an automobile horn.

verb (used without object)

to emit a honk.

to cause an automobile horn to sound: He drove up in front of the house and honked.

verb (used with object)

to cause (an automobile horn) to sound: The driver honked his horn impatiently.

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Origin of honk

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800; imitative

Words nearby honk

Honiara, honied, honing, honi soit qui mal y pense, Honiton, honk, honker, honkey, honky, honky-tonk, Honolulu

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use honk in a sentence

It’s a booming track that hurtles brass instrumentals, car honks and metallic clangs at the listener as the members bulldoze their way from beginning to end.
The Best K-Pop Songs and Albums of 2021|Kat Moon|December 8, 2021|Time
Imagine stabbing at other fighters with your beak or using it to pick them up and throw them off the platform, taunting them with honks all the while.
Press F for these fan favorites that ‘Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’ snubbed|Alyse Stanley, Jhaan Elker|October 27, 2021|Washington Post
So I asked the driver to honk the horn, which he does, and Rod looks over.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
As cars approached a group of about 20 men and women, a cry went out: “Honk your horn!”
Ferguson Protesters Harass Black Police, Call for Darren Wilson’s Death|Justin Glawe|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

A city bus rolls past; the driver gives a greeting honk and Furry waves.
Stanley Booth on the Life and Hard Times of Blues Genius Furry Lewis|Stanley Booth|June 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I took the photo and immediately noticed a nearby sign, which said “Honk If You Love This Flag.”
Pro-Confederate Protesters in Richmond Rally in Support of the Flag|Jamelle Bouie|November 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
That is, a honk and a tweet may lie near the heart of any easy listening.
A New Masterpiece, Built on an Old One|Blake Gopnik|September 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The rattle of wagons may be heard distinctly, and the rumble of cars, with occasionally the honk of an automobile horn.
Seeing Things at Night|Heywood Broun
Cleek had no opportunity to reply, for at that moment the quiet of the country was suddenly broken by the sharp Honk!
The Riddle of the Mysterious Light|Mary E. Hanshew
Out stepped the lordly James Edward and lifted head and wings with a troubled honk-a, honka.
The Backwoodsmen|Charles G. D. Roberts
They stretched their long necks and the big gander uttered a questioning "honk!"
Six Little Bunkers at Mammy June's|Laura Lee Hope
The raucous voice of the peddler, the din of trucks, the honk of automobiles, the clatter of the city—all these are absent.
Think|Col. Wm. C. Hunter

British Dictionary definitions for honk

honk

/ (hɒŋk) /

noun

a representation of the sound made by a goose

any sound resembling this, esp a motor horn

British and Australian slang a bad smell

verb

to make or cause (something) to make such a sound

(intr) British a slang word for vomit

British and Australian slang to have a bad smell

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

honk

Origin of honk

Words nearby honk

Words related to honk

How to use honk in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for honk