Illustration of hoof
- 1 2 3 4 parts of wall
- 1 toe
- 2 side walls
- 3 quarters
- 4 buttresses
- 5 bulbs
- 6 sole
- 7 frog
plural hooves
ˈhüvz 
ˈhu̇vz
also hoofs
1
: a curved covering of horn that protects the front of or encloses the ends of the digits of an ungulate mammal and that corresponds to a nail or claw
2
: a hoofed foot especially of a horse
Synonyms
Examples of hoof in a Sentence
Verb
The cast was hoofing on the stage.
Recent Examples on the Web
Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2024
There’s got to be a way to at least shave down your hooves into the shape of feet.
—Simon Rich, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for hoof 
Noun
Icy balls can become packed on the hooves of horses when they are driven over soft winter snow or during spring thaws.
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2024
There’s got to be a way to at least shave down your hooves into the shape of feet.
—Simon Rich, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for hoof
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hoof.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near hoof
Cite this Entry
“Hoof.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hoof. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
plural hooves
ˈhu̇vz
ˈhüvz
or hoofs
1
: a covering of horn that protects the front of or encloses the ends of the toes of some mammals (as horses, oxen, and pigs) and that corresponds to a nail or claw
2
: a hoofed foot especially of a horse
hoofed
adjective
ˈhu̇ft
ˈhüft
ˈhu̇vd
ˈhüvd
hoof
2 of 2 verb1
: to walk especially with haste
hoofed it to class
2
: to dance especially as a performer
watched the cast hoofing on the stage
hoofer
noun
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