Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
hoary [hawr-ee, hohr-ee] SynonymsExamplesWord Origin See more synonyms for hoary on Thesaurus.com adjective, hoar·i·er, hoar·i·est.
- gray or white with age: an old dog with a hoary muzzle.
- ancient or venerable: hoary myths.
- tedious from familiarity; stale: Please don’t tell that hoary joke at dinner again tonight.
Origin of hoary First recorded in 1520–30; hoar + -y1 Related formshoar·i·ly, adverbhoar·i·ness, nounun·hoar·y, adjectiveSynonyms for hoary See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com 1. grizzled, grizzly; hoar. 2. old, dated, aged; venerated, revered. Related Words for hoary antiquated, timeworn, age-old, aged, antique, elderly, old, old-fashioned, older, out-of-date, relic, rusty, venerable, oldie, frosty, graying, silvery, white-haired, whitish Examples from the Web for hoary Contemporary Examples of hoary
This is just one of those cases when the hoary cliché is true.
Michael Tomasky
September 7, 2011
The idea is an old one—or as the irritable Economist magazine calls it, “hoary.”
Jeff Madrick
November 12, 2009
Historical Examples of hoary
One hoary tower only is seen, half hidden by the folds of a valley.
Matilda Betham-Edwards
My stockings all want to see my mother, and my hat is hoary with age.’
J. Munro
He listened with eager docility to the voice of hoary wisdom.
William Godwin
I will listen with coolness to the voice of native sagacity and hoary experience.
William Godwin
On the contrary, I look upon you as a swaggering bully and a hoary villain.
W. Clark Russell
British Dictionary definitions for hoary hoary adjective hoarier or hoariest
- having grey or white hair
- white or whitish-grey in colour
- ancient or venerable
Derived Formshoarily, adverbhoariness, noun Word Origin and History for hoary adj.
1510s, “gray or white with age” (of hair); c.1600 as “venerable, ancient;” from hoar + -y (2). Related: Hoariness.