honk

[ hongk, hawngk ]

noun

1. the cry of a goose.
2. any similar sound, as of an automobile horn.

verb (used without object)

1. to emit a honk.
2. to cause an automobile horn to sound:

   He drove up in front of the house and honked.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause (an automobile horn) to sound:

   The driver honked his horn impatiently.

honk

/ hɒŋk /

noun

1. a representation of the sound made by a goose
2. any sound resembling this, esp a motor horn
3. slang.
   a bad smell

verb

1. to make or cause (something) to make such a sound
2. intr a slang word for vomit
3. slang.
   to have a bad smell

Word History and Origins

Origin of honk¹

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800; imitative

Example Sentences

It’s a booming track that hurtles brass instrumentals, car honks and metallic clangs at the listener as the members bulldoze their way from beginning to end.

From Time

Imagine stabbing at other fighters with your beak or using it to pick them up and throw them off the platform, taunting them with honks all the while.

From Washington Post

Instead of sending texts off into the void and hoping for a response, friends on Honk communicate via messages that are shown live as you type, with no saved chat history and no send button.

From TechCrunch

So I asked the driver to honk the horn, which he does, and Rod looks over.

From The Daily Beast

As cars approached a group of about 20 men and women, a cry went out: “Honk your horn!”

From The Daily Beast

A city bus rolls past; the driver gives a greeting honk and Furry waves.

From The Daily Beast

I took the photo and immediately noticed a nearby sign, which said “Honk If You Love This Flag.”

From The Daily Beast

That is, a honk and a tweet may lie near the heart of any easy listening.

From The Daily Beast

The rattle of wagons may be heard distinctly, and the rumble of cars, with occasionally the honk of an automobile horn.

From Project Gutenberg

Cleek had no opportunity to reply, for at that moment the quiet of the country was suddenly broken by the sharp Honk!

From Project Gutenberg

Out stepped the lordly James Edward and lifted head and wings with a troubled honk-a, honka.

From Project Gutenberg

They stretched their long necks and the big gander uttered a questioning "honk!"

From Project Gutenberg

The raucous voice of the peddler, the din of trucks, the honk of automobiles, the clatter of the city—all these are absent.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• beep
• blare