Word
honk
US/ˈhɑŋk/
UK/hˈɒŋk/
Definition
n. a loud, short sound made by a car horn. You use this word when you want to be funny or casual about someone honking their horn.
n. a short, sharp sound made by a car horn.
Examples
“He gave a loud honk to get my attention.”
“The driver gave a quick honk as he pulled into the parking spot right next to me.”
“The sudden honk of the car horn broke the silence of the quiet afternoon, startling the birds that had gathered on the lawn.”
Examples
simple
“He gave a loud honk to get my attention.”
contextual
“The driver gave a quick honk as he pulled into the parking spot right next to me.”
complex
“The sudden honk of the car horn broke the silence of the quiet afternoon, startling the birds that had gathered on the lawn.”
Etymology
Onomatopoeic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/honk