hoof

[ hoof, hoof ]

noun

plural hoofs or hooves hoof

1. the horny covering protecting the ends of the digits or encasing the foot in certain animals, as the ox and horse.
2. the entire foot of a horse, donkey, etc.
3. Older Use. a hoofed animal, especially one of a herd.
4. Informal. the human foot.

verb (used with object)

1. Slang. to walk (often followed by it ):

   Let's hoof it to the supermarket.

verb (used without object)

1. Slang. to dance, especially to tap-dance:

   He's been hoofing at the Palladium.

hoof

/ huːf /

noun

1. 1. the horny covering of the end of the foot in the horse, deer, and all other ungulate mammals
   2. ( in combination ) ungular

      a hoofbeat

2. the foot of an ungulate mammal
3. a hoofed animal
4. facetious.
   a person's foot
5. on the hoof
   1. (of livestock) alive
   2. in an impromptu manner

      he did his thinking on the hoof

verb

1. tr to kick or trample with the hoofs
2. hoof it slang.
   1. to walk
   2. to dance

Derived Forms

• ˈhoofˌlike, adjective
• ˈhoofless, adjective

Other Word Forms

• hoofi·ness noun
• hoofless adjective
• hooflike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoof¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English (noun); Old English hōf; cognate with Old Frisian hōf, Dutch hoef, German Huf, Old Norse hōfr; compare Sanskrit śaphas

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoof¹

Old English hōf; related to Old Norse hōfr, Old High German huof (German Huf ), Sanskrit saphás

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the hoof, (of livestock) not butchered; live:

   The city youngsters were seeing lambs on the hoof for the first time.

Example Sentences

A few moments later, Grant Hanley played an agricultural hoof down the park, the ball careering out of play with no Scotsman in sight.

From BBC

But Wales remained their own worst enemy, Kayleigh Powell, playing in a new position at centre, was caught in possession which allowed Thomson to hoof the ball downfield.

From BBC

Several times against Scotland and France, they grumbled as Alex Mitchell or Fin Smith lined up a skywards hoof.

From BBC

Or Nate the hoof guy, who cleans the hooves of cows and horses.

From Los Angeles Times

Of the clip-clop sound of horses hoofing by.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• paw