# hoarding

/ˈhɔɹdɪŋ/ (US) · /hˈɔːdɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hoarding
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

the habit of collecting and keeping too many things, even if they are not useful or valuable. It often makes a person's living space very messy and difficult to use.

For teachers: the excessive acquisition of and inability to discard large quantities of objects, regardless of their actual value. Often associated with psychological distress or a compulsive need to save items.

## Examples

- His hoarding became a problem when he could no longer use his kitchen.
- The social worker noted that the client's hoarding had created significant safety hazards throughout the apartment.
- Psychologists distinguish between simple clutter and clinical hoarding by assessing whether the accumulation of possessions prevents the functional use of living areas or causes significant personal impairment.

## Usage notes

- Commonly functions as a gerund noun derived from the verb 'hoard'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.