hoard

[ hawrd, hohrd ]

noun

1. a supply or accumulation that is hidden or carefully guarded for preservation, future use, etc.:

   a vast hoard of silver.

   Synonyms: stock, store, cache, reserve, stockpile

verb (used with object)

1. to accumulate for preservation, future use, etc., in a hidden or carefully guarded place:

   to hoard food during a shortage.

verb (used without object)

1. to accumulate money, food, or the like, in a hidden or carefully guarded place for preservation, future use, etc.

hoard

/ hɔːd /

noun

1. an accumulated store hidden away for future use
2. a cache of ancient coins, treasure, etc

verb

1. to gather or accumulate (a hoard)

Usage

Hoard is sometimes wrongly written where horde is meant: hordes (not hoards ) of tourists

Derived Forms

• ˈhoarder, noun

Other Words From

• hoarder noun
• un·hoarded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoard¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English hord(e), Old English hord; cognate with Old Norse hodd, Old High German hort, Gothic huzd “treasure”; hide ¹, hide ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoard¹

Old English hord; related to Old Norse hodd, Gothic huzd, German Hort, Swedish hydda hut

Example Sentences

They believe that water and land are becoming scarcer, forcing them to hoard and defend those resources.

From Salon

“If you’re a homeowner or an apartment dweller, you are not allowed to hoard, causing hazards to your neighbors,” said Yoo.

From Los Angeles Times

He added: "There are very few Pictish rings which have ever been discovered and those we do know about usually come from hoards which were placed in the ground deliberately for safekeeping in some way."

From BBC

The hoard of signatures had been amassed by a German collector, who began buying and trading autographs in the 1980s.

From BBC

Denmark’s National Museum had the right of first refusal on part of the collection and purchased seven rare coins from Bruun’s vast hoard before they went to auction.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• amass
• buy up
• stash
• stockpile

Hoard Vs. Horde

What’s the difference between hoard and horde?

Hoard is a verb meaning to accumulate things and closely guard them, often in a greedy or excessive way, as in Dragons are known for hoarding treasure. It can also be used as a noun to collectively refer to the things that have been accumulated, as in a hoard of treasure. Horde is a noun referring to a large group or mob of people, especially one considered in a negative way, as in I’d rather avoid the hordes of tourists. 

The word horde is also used in a more specific way to refer to a group of nomads. It is especially associated with the Mongol army of the 1200s (sometimes known as the Golden Horde). Horde can also be a verb, meaning to gather or move in a horde, but this use is much less common.

Both words often relate to large groups, but a hoard is an accumulation of items, while a horde is a group of people (or animals).

To remember which spelling to use, remember that nomadic hordes sometimes travel on horses. The word hoard, on the other hand, hoards the letter A all for itself.

Here’s an example of hoard and horde used correctly in a sentence.

Example: A horde of invaders sacked the city and looted the royal treasure hoard. 

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between hoard and horde.

Quiz yourself on hoard vs. horde!

Should hoard or horde be used in the following sentence?

At noon, a _____ of hungry children will descend upon the cafeteria.