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.
They chanted, drummed and urged passersby to honk before blocking the street entirely.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025
Every time a semitruck passed by heading to or from the port, the driver would honk its horn in a quick gesture of acknowledgment and, one imagines, solidarity with the men and women inside.
From Slate • Sep. 19, 2025
Drivers honk in approval and locals cheer on the members, a fixture in the Valley.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 2, 2025
For about 10 minutes each day, he stands at the intersection of a couple of busy roads with a big yellow placard accusing drivers who honk their horns loudly of causing a massive nuisance.
From BBC • Mar. 15, 2025
He gave his nose a big honk, and we all shrank further.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
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.
