honk

American  

[hongk, hawngk] / hɒŋk, hɔŋk /

noun

1. the cry of a goose.

2. any similar sound, as of an automobile horn.

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verb (used without object)

1. to emit a honk.

2. to cause an automobile horn to sound.

   He drove up in front of the house and honked.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause (an automobile horn) to sound.

   The driver honked his horn impatiently.

honk British  

/ hɒŋk /

noun

1. a representation of the sound made by a goose

2. any sound resembling this, esp a motor horn

3. slang a bad smell

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verb

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

2. (intr) a slang word for vomit

3. slang to have a bad smell

Etymology

Origin of honk

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800; imitative

Example Sentences

A fairground train carrying children made its way through the crowd, its Christmas soundtrack drowned out by the supportive honks of cars.

From Barron's

Dolly gets a lot of honks and smiles.

From The Wall Street Journal

Thousands of farmers protested the deal outside a Brussels meeting of EU leaders on Thursday, rolling around 1,000 honking tractors into the city.

From Barron's

Screams, honking car horns and ambulance sirens fill the air in the next chaotic minutes.

From BBC

His guitar playing is bluesy and cool, his voice a lovable honk.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beep
• blare