Hone Meaning
/hoʊn/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA sharpening stone composed of extra-fine grit used for removing the burr or curl from the blade of a razor or some other edge tool.
nounA machine tool used in the manufacture of precision bores.
Sentence Examples
Tom wanted to hone his skills as a photographer.
GPS allows us to hone in on the correct location.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
She spent hours practicing to ____ her piano skills before the concert.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The young musician spent many hours practicing every day to ____ her skills on the violin.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English hon (“whetstone”), from Old English hān, from Proto-Germanic *hainō (compare Dutch heen, Norwegian hein), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱeh₃i- (“to sharpen”) (compare Ancient Greek κῶνος (kônos, “cone”), Persian سان (sân, “whetstone”)).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"He also honed the procedure known as cut and fill - whereby the spoil from railway cuttings was used to build up embankments."
— 2023 August 23, David E Norris, “Joseph Locke: a railway injustice...”, in RAIL, number 990, page 56:
"Huh? Training in your room under the torchlight / Hone that form to get you ready for the big fight"
— 2011, “Revenge”, CaptainSparklez (lyrics), Doc Exx (music), performed by TryHardNinja, parody of Usher's DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love:
"He lies pitying himself, honing and moaning to himself"
— 1823, Elia [pseudonym; Charles Lamb], Elia. Essays which have Appeared under that Signature in The London Magazine, London: […] [Thomas Davison] for Taylor and Hessey, […], →OCLC:
"Oh, hone! oh, hone! miserable wretch that I am! Do ye mak confession for me, Sir, and I'll say 't after you, as weel as I dow. Oh, hone! oh, hone!"
— 1836, Joanna Baillie, Witchcraft, Act 4, page 141
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She spent hours practicing to ____ her piano skills before the concert.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The young musician spent many hours practicing every day to ____ her skills on the violin.