honk
[hongk, hawngk]
- the cry of a goose.
- any similar sound, as of an automobile horn.
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- to emit a honk.
- to cause an automobile horn to sound: He drove up in front of the house and honked.
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- 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for honk
Contemporary Examples
So I asked the driver to honk the horn, which he does, and Rod looks over.
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 DeathJustin Glawe
November 21, 2014
I took the photo and immediately noticed a nearby sign, which said “Honk If You Love This Flag.”
That is, a honk and a tweet may lie near the heart of any easy listening.
Historical Examples
If she gets afloat afore I come back you honk and holler and I'll row after you.
The Depot MasterJoseph C. Lincoln
A mingling of honk and cackle, it manifested not excitement so much as curiosity.
Tales of FishesZane Grey
While he was there Chester heard the honk of the Imp's horn outside.
Red Pepper BurnsGrace S. Richmond
Noises we hear, the warning shriek of the fire engine or the honk!
Here and Now Story BookLucy Sprague Mitchell
Well, by and by, after a while, he heard the honk of an automobile horn.
honk
- a representation of the sound made by a goose
- any sound resembling this, esp a motor horn
- British and Australian slang a bad smell
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- 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
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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
Word Origin and History for honk
n.
cry of a goose, 1814, American English, imitative. As a verb by 1854, of geese; the sense of "sound a horn," especially on an automobile, first recorded 1895 in American English. Related: Honked; honking.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper