# Hurst

/ˈhɝst/ (US) · /hˈɜːst/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hurst
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a small hill or a small group of trees. You mostly see this word in old stories or as part of a place name.

For teachers: a wooded hill or a small grove of trees. Primarily encountered in toponymy or archaic literary contexts.

## Examples

- The old house sat on a small hurst overlooking the valley.
- The poet describes a solitary hurst where the sunlight barely penetrates the thick canopy of ancient oaks, creating a sanctuary for the local wildlife.

## Usage notes

- Commonly found as a suffix in English place names (e.g., Lyndhurst, Dewhurst).

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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.