Word
hoard
US/ˈhɔɹd/
UK/hˈɔːd/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a large collection of valuable things that someone has hidden or kept for the future.
n. a hidden fund or supply of valuables, often stored away for preservation or future use. In archaeological contexts, refers specifically to a group of objects purposefully buried in the ground.
Examples
“The farmer discovered a hoard of gold coins in his field.”
“Archaeologists believe the hoard was buried during a time of war to protect the family's wealth from invaders.”
“The discovery of the Viking hoard provided researchers with unprecedented insights into the trade routes and silver currency used across Northern Europe during the ninth century.”
Examples
simple
“The farmer discovered a hoard of gold coins in his field.”
contextual
“Archaeologists believe the hoard was buried during a time of war to protect the family's wealth from invaders.”
complex
“The discovery of the Viking hoard provided researchers with unprecedented insights into the trade routes and silver currency used across Northern Europe during the ninth century.”
Usage
Often followed by 'of' to specify the contents, such as 'a hoard of treasure' or 'a hoard of supplies'.
Pitfall
a horde of gold
a hoard of gold
Learners often confuse 'hoard' (a hidden collection) with 'horde' (a large group of people).
Real-World Examples
“In Spain on Thursday, thieves raided the Treasure of Villena , a collection of bronze age gold artefacts described as one of Europe’s most important prehistoric hoards.” “The discovery has sparked interest in who might get to keep the hoard - with both the builders and the local charity that owns the site having a chance of claiming it.” Etymology
From Middle English hord, from Old English hord (“an accumulation of valuable objects cached for preservation or future use; treasure; hoard”), from Proto-West Germanic hoʀd, from Proto-Germanic huzdą (“treasure; hoard”), of unknown origin, but possibly derived from Proto-Indo-European *kewdʰ- (“to conceal, hide”), thus meaning “something hidden”. Cognate with German Hort (“hoard; refuge”), Icelandic hodd (“treasure”), Latin cū̆stōs (“guard; keeper”). For the meaning development compare Russian сокро́вище (sokróvišče, “treasure”) related to Russian скрыва́ть (skryvátʹ, “to hide, to conceal”).
From Middle English horden, from Old English hordian, from Proto-West Germanic *hoʀdōn.
From Middle English hord, whorde, from Anglo-Norman hurde and Old French hourd, hourt (“barrier, palisade”), from Middle Dutch horde, from Old Dutch hurd, from Proto-West Germanic hurdi (“wickerwork, braiding of branches, hurdle, scaffolding, military company”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/hoard