Hoe Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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hoe
[hoʊ ]
Definitions
gardening
A long-handled gardening tool with a thin metal blade, used mainly for weeding and breaking up soil.
Synonyms
cultivator, digging tool, weeding tool.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| hoe |
A hoe is typically used in gardening for removing weeds and breaking up the soil. It is a versatile tool used in both small home gardens and larger agricultural settings.
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| digging tool |
A digging tool is a general term for any tool used to dig into the soil, such as shovels, spades, or trowels. It can be used for various purposes in gardening or construction.
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| weeding tool |
A weeding tool is specifically designed for removing weeds from the soil. It can come in various forms, such as hand forks, weed pullers, or specialized weeding hoes. It is used in both home gardens and agriculture.
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| cultivator |
A cultivator is used to prepare the soil for planting by breaking up the soil, removing weeds, and aerating the ground. This tool is more commonly used on larger scales, such as farms.
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Examples of usage
- She used a hoe to dig up the weeds in the garden.
- He grabbed a hoe to help with the planting.
slang
To work hard at something, usually for a long period of time.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| hoe |
Used as a verb, this word refers to the action of using a hoe tool for gardening, farming, or other types of land cultivation. It can also be a noun referring to the tool itself.
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| toil |
Conveys a sense of strenuous, continuous, and tiring work. Often used in literature or more formal contexts. It generally has a connotation of laborious effort over a long period of time.
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| labour |
This word is often used in formal or academic contexts to describe physical or mental effort, especially hard work. It is also associated with employment and economic contexts.
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| work hard |
Commonly used to generally describe putting in a lot of effort, time, and diligence into a task or job. Suitable for both formal and informal situations.
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Examples of usage
- She had to hoe the field all day under the sun.
- He's been hoeing away at his thesis for weeks now.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Agriculture
- Farmers have used hoes for thousands of years to help cultivate plants, making the growth process easier.
- There are different types of hoes designed for specific tasks, like weeding or digging, illustrating the tool's versatility.
Cultural Significance
- In some cultures, the hoe is a symbol of hard work and determination in agriculture.
- The phrase 'to beat the hoe' is used in various cultures to denote dedication to farming and land care.
Science
- Using a hoe can improve soil aeration, which is important for plant health and growth.
- The action of hoeing helps to control weed growth, which can take resources away from desired plants.
Pop Culture
- Hoes have appeared in various films and books, often representing the hard work farming requires.
- In music, some hip-hop artists use the term 'hoe' in a slang context, leading to diverse interpretations of the word.
Origin of 'hoe'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'hoe' comes from the Old English word 'hō', which referred to a digging tool.
- Ancient tools resembling hoes were used by early agricultural societies around 4,000 years ago in Egypt.
The word 'hoe' has its origins in Old English hā, which is related to Old High German houwa and Dutch houwe. It has been used in English since the 13th century to refer to a tool for tilling the soil. Over time, the verb form 'hoe' has also come to mean working hard or toiling at a task. The hoe has been a fundamental tool in agriculture and gardening for centuries, helping people cultivate and maintain their land.
See also: backhoe.