honk
Americannoun
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the cry of a goose.
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any similar sound, as of an automobile horn.
verb (used without object)
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to emit a honk.
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to cause an automobile horn to sound.
He drove up in front of the house and honked.
verb (used with object)
noun
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a representation of the sound made by a goose
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any sound resembling this, esp a motor horn
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slang a bad smell
verb
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to make or cause (something) to make such a sound
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(intr) a slang word for vomit
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slang to have a bad smell
Etymology
Origin of honk
An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800; imitative
Explanation
Honk! Out of the way! A honk is a noise made by a goose or a car horn. A goose's honk can be a greeting or warning, which is also true of a car horn's honk. To make the sound of a honk is to honk, whether you're a goose or a taxi driver waiting for the light to turn green. The "cry of a goose" meaning is the oldest, and the word honk, especially if you say it loudly, sounds just like what it means. HONK! The most common honk these days comes from cars stuck in traffic or saying hello. Honk if you like definitions!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“We always chat and clown around and block each other and honk at each other on the hill. He goes for the Raiders and I go for the Packers. I’ll be sad not see him.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026
“The kids used to roll by and they’d do the arm thing to get you to honk the horn,” Shearer said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026
The cheerful honk is a familiar greeting among parents, community members and these local child-care workers on their pick-up routes.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2025
They stand for hours in the biting cold, lining one of the main streets of the capital, as passing motorists honk their horns in a deafening cacophony of solidarity.
From BBC • Dec. 28, 2024
He heard a honk, but he kept going, hoping that the police officer wouldn’t jump out and chase him on foot.
From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
