hoar

/'hɔ:/

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The word "hoar" can be a bit tricky because it has a couple of different meanings. Let's break it down in a simple way.

Definition

"Hoar" is an adjective that describes something that shows characteristics of age, especially when someone has grey or white hair. When you see someone with a lot of grey hair, you might say they have a "hoary head."

Usage Instructions

• Use "hoar" as an adjective when describing someone who is older and has grey or white hair.
• Use "hoar" as a noun when talking about frost or ice crystals that look white and are found outside in cold weather.

Examples

1. Adjective:

   • "The hoar old man sat on the bench, his hoary beard blowing gently in the wind."

2. Noun:

   • "In the early morning, the grass was covered with hoar, making it look like a white carpet."

Advanced Usage

In literature, "hoar" can be used to evoke a sense of wisdom or age. For example: - "The hoar trees stood tall, witnesses to centuries of history."

Word Variants

• Hoary (adjective): This is the more commonly used form, often meaning grey or white, especially referring to hair. For instance, "She admired the hoary wisdom of her grandfather."

Different Meanings

• As mentioned, "hoar" can refer to age or to frost. Make sure you understand the context to know which meaning is being used.

Synonyms

• For the adjective meaning grey or old:

  • Grey
  • Ancient
  • Elderly
  • Aged

• For the noun meaning frost:

  • Frost
  • Ice crystals

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

There aren’t any well-known idioms or phrasal verbs that use "hoar," but you might come across phrases that describe age or wisdom, such as: - "Wise as an owl," which suggests that age brings wisdom.

Summary

"Hoar" is an interesting word that can describe the beauty of age and the natural phenomenon of frost.

Academic

Adjective

1. showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair
   • whose beard with age is hoar-Coleridge
   • nodded his hoary head

Noun

1. ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

Synonyms

• frost
• hoarfrost
• rime