Hoard Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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hoard
[hɔːrd ]
Definitions
noun
A stock or store of money, valuable objects, or other treasured possessions typically hidden or carefully guarded.
Synonyms
cache, stash, stockpile, treasure.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| hoard |
Typically involves collecting and saving a large amount of items, often secretly or excessively. Can have a negative connotation if it implies unnecessary accumulation.
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| stash |
Informal term for hiding or storing items, usually small and valuable objects. Implies a secretive or casual manner of keeping things safe.
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| cache |
Refers to a hidden or stored collection of items, usually for future use or to keep them safe. Often used in a context involving secrecy or strategic placement.
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| treasure |
Refers to valuable items, often precious metals, gems, or other items of great worth. Can imply both hidden riches or something of great personal value.
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| stockpile |
Accumulating a large quantity of items, particularly goods or supplies, for future use, often in preparation for shortage or emergency.
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Examples of usage
- The dragon had a hoard of gold and jewels in its lair.
- She discovered a hoard of ancient coins buried in the backyard.
- The thief was caught trying to steal a hoard of priceless paintings from the museum.
verb
To accumulate a large amount of something, typically money or valued objects, and store it away.
Synonyms
accumulate, amass, stockpile, store.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| hoard |
Hoard is often used when someone keeps a large amount of something secretly or excessively, usually with a negative connotation.
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| stockpile |
Stockpile is used when referring to collecting a large reserve of something, often for future use in times of uncertainty or shortage.
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| accumulate |
Accumulate means to gather or collect over time, usually in a gradual and steady manner, without any negative connotation.
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| store |
Store means to put something away for future use, usually in an organized and accessible way, and is typically used without negative implications.
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| amass |
Amass refers to gathering or collecting a lot of something, often in a large quantity for personal gain, but can be used neutrally depending on the context.
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Examples of usage
- He tends to hoard old magazines and newspapers in his attic.
- The collector would hoard rare stamps from around the world.
- She hoarded her savings in a secret bank account.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- People may hoard due to emotional attachments to items, often feeling that they represent memories or past experiences.
- Hoarding can be related to anxiety disorders, where individuals believe they might need the items in the future.
- It can also stem from a fear of waste, leading some to collect items others might discard.
Cultural Significance
- In some cultures, hoarding is seen as a practical way to secure resources for hard times, reflecting a survivalist mindset.
- Conversely, in others, excessive hoarding can carry a negative stigma, often viewed as a sign of mental illness.
- Folktales often highlight characters who hoard treasures, revealing the moral consequences of greed and excess.
Environmental Impact
- Hoarding can contribute to clutter which may lead to increased difficulties in maintaining a clean, safe living environment.
- Excessive collection of items can foster wastefulness, as it often prevents recycling or repurposing of goods.
- Communities sometimes create programs to help hoarders declutter responsibly, promoting recycling and donation.
Literature
- In literature, figures who hoard often symbolize greed and avarice, serving as cautionary tales for the consequences of materialism.
- Characters like Scrooge McDuck in comics represent the humorous side of hoarding wealth, often leading to extravagant adventures.
- Hoarding also appears in many stories as a plot device, where characters must confront their attachment to possessions.
Origin of 'hoard'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Old English 'hord,' which means a secret or hidden treasure.
- It has roots in the Proto-Germanic word 'hurdaz,' which also referred to a stash or hidden goods.
- Originally, it was used to describe not just wealth, but any collection kept hidden away.
The word 'hoard' originated from the Old English word 'hord', meaning a hidden or guarded treasure. Throughout history, hoarding has been associated with concepts of wealth, protection, and secrecy. Hoards of gold and valuable artifacts have been discovered in archaeological excavations, shedding light on ancient societies' practices of storing wealth. In modern contexts, hoarding can also refer to the compulsive behavior of accumulating and saving excessive amounts of possessions.