Hone: meaning, definitions and examples

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hone

[həʊn ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

sharpen

To sharpen (a blade or cutting edge) with a hone; to make more acute, intense, or effective

Synonyms

improve, perfect, sharpen.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hone	Used when talking about carefully improving skills or making something more effective over time. She spent years honing her writing skills. He honed his presentation to perfection.
sharpen	Often used in the context of making a skill, tool, or sense more acute or effective. Can sometimes imply a more intense or focused effort. She attends workshops to sharpen her skills. Reading daily helps to sharpen the mind.
improve	A general term used for making something better, which can be applied to many situations including skills, products, or conditions. She is taking classes to improve her English. The company is working to improve its services.
perfect	Used when talking about making something as flawless or as good as possible. Implies a high level of refinement. He has perfected his recipe over the years. Her goal is to perfect her technique.

Examples of usage

You can hone your skills through practice.
He honed his debating skills in high school.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

tool

A whetstone of fine, compact texture for sharpening razors and other cutting tools

Synonyms

sharpener, whetstone.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hone	This version of 'hone' is often considered a duplicate due to a typo or repetition, but the same definition and usage apply as mentioned previously. The athlete honed his running technique to improve his performance. Over the summer, he honed his coding skills by working on various projects.
whetstone	Whetstone refers specifically to a stone used for sharpening cutting tools like knives, scissors, and other blades. It is often used in a more technical or traditional context, emphasizing the manual process of sharpening. He used a whetstone to sharpen his collection of kitchen knives. The blacksmith taught his apprentice how to use a whetstone to properly maintain their tools.
sharpener	Sharpener is a straightforward term normally used to describe a device or tool used to sharpen pencils or other sharp objects. It is a common household item, especially in schools and offices. She used a sharpener to get a fine point on her pencil before the exam. The artist always keeps a sharpener handy while sketching.

Word

Description / Examples

hone

This version of 'hone' is often considered a duplicate due to a typo or repetition, but the same definition and usage apply as mentioned previously.

The athlete honed his running technique to improve his performance.
Over the summer, he honed his coding skills by working on various projects.

whetstone

Whetstone refers specifically to a stone used for sharpening cutting tools like knives, scissors, and other blades. It is often used in a more technical or traditional context, emphasizing the manual process of sharpening.

He used a whetstone to sharpen his collection of kitchen knives.
The blacksmith taught his apprentice how to use a whetstone to properly maintain their tools.

sharpener

Sharpener is a straightforward term normally used to describe a device or tool used to sharpen pencils or other sharp objects. It is a common household item, especially in schools and offices.

She used a sharpener to get a fine point on her pencil before the exam.
The artist always keeps a sharpener handy while sketching.

Examples of usage

He used a hone to sharpen his knife.
The barber carefully stropped the razor on his hone.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'hone' comes from the Old English 'hōna', meaning a whetstone used to sharpen tools.
In Middle English, it was used to describe sharpening as well as improving skills or techniques.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, honing is viewed as vital for mastery, symbolizing dedication in crafts from martial arts to cooking.
The phrase 'hone your skills' is widely used in career development, emphasizing continuous improvement.

Pop Culture

In popular TV shows and movies, characters often hone their abilities through training montages, emphasizing growth and perseverance.
The term is frequently referenced in motivational speeches and self-help literature, encouraging self-improvement.

Psychology

Research in psychology emphasizes that honing skills requires consistent practice, which leads to mastery and confidence.
The '10,000-hour rule' popularized by Malcolm Gladwell suggests that dedicated practice is essential for achieving expert status.

Literature

In literature, characters often go on journeys to hone their skills, representing personal growth and overcoming challenges.
Writers use honing as a metaphor for life experiences; each challenge is a way to sharpen one's character.

Translations

Translations of the word "hone" in other languages:

🇵🇹 afiar

🇮🇳 तेज़ करना

🇩🇪 schärfen

🇮🇩 mengasah

🇺🇦 гострити

🇵🇱 ostrzyć

🇯🇵 研ぐ (とぐ)

🇫🇷 aiguiser

🇪🇸 afilar

🇹🇷 bilemek

🇰🇷 갈다

🇸🇦 شحذ

🇨🇿 brousit

🇸🇰 brúsiť

🇨🇳 磨尖 (mó jiān)

🇸🇮 brusiti

🇮🇸 brýna

🇰🇿 өткірлеу

🇬🇪 დასალესი

🇦🇿 itiqləşdirmək

🇲🇽 afilar

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,150, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
22147 functionary
22148 extractor
22149 whiff
22150 hone
22151 impiety
22152 dun
22153 cranberry
...