hoard

/hɔːrd/

Say it: HORD

1. verb To accumulate and store away a supply of something, often in secret, due to its perceived value or scarcity.
Fearing a shortage, some shoppers began to hoard essentials like flour and pasta.
2. noun A stock or store of money or valued objects, typically one that is secret or carefully guarded.
Archaeologists unearthed a spectacular hoard of Viking silver near the coast.

📖 Seen in the wild

During the pandemic, many people began to hoard essential supplies like toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ hoard in a sentence

The squirrel spent the autumn hoarding nuts for the long winter ahead.
He doesn't just collect books; he hoards them, filling every room from floor to ceiling.
The company was accused of hoarding patents to stifle competition.
In the novel, the dragon slept on a massive hoard of gold and jewels.
She tends to hoard her feelings, never letting anyone know what she's truly thinking.
News of the discovery of the Staffordshire Hoard excited historians around the world.
My grandmother lived through the Depression, which is why she hoards everything from string to rubber bands.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

stockpile stash amass cache accumulate store collect squirrel away trove

stockpile · implies a larger, more organized supply gathered for a specific future need, often without secrecy.

stash · suggests hiding something, often illicit or for personal use, in a secret place.

amass · focuses on the process of gathering a large quantity over time, and doesn't necessarily imply hiding it.

cache · refers to the hidden items themselves or the hiding place, often for quick access.

Opposites: squander, distribute, discard, dispense, lavish

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'hoard' has deep roots in English, coming from the Old English 'hord,' which meant 'treasure' or 'a valuable stock.' This term is related to words in other old Germanic languages that all share a sense of hiding or storing something valuable. Its meaning has remained remarkably consistent for over a thousand years, always tied to the idea of a carefully guarded collection.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

hoard foodhoard moneya secret hoarda dragon's hoarda miser's hoardhoard information

The verb 'hoard' carries a strong negative connotation, implying selfishness, panic, or a psychological compulsion. When used to describe a person's behavior, it can suggest they have hoarding disorder. The noun is more neutral, especially in historical or archaeological contexts like 'a Roman hoard.' Be careful not to confuse 'hoard' with its homophone 'horde,' which means a large crowd.

Word family: hoarder, hoarding

💬 Quick answers

What does hoard mean?

As a verb, 'hoard' means to accumulate and hide things. As a noun, a 'hoard' is the collection of valuable things that has been hidden away.

What is the difference between 'hoard' and 'horde'?

'Hoard' refers to a hidden supply of things. 'Horde' refers to a large, moving crowd of people or animals. They sound the same but have completely different meanings.

Is hoarding always a bad thing?

The verb 'hoard' usually has a negative connotation, suggesting selfishness, anxiety, or compulsion. The noun can be neutral or even exciting, as in a 'treasure hoard'.

What's the difference between hoarding and collecting?

Collecting is typically an organized, selective, and social hobby. Hoarding is often disorganized and excessive, driven by an inability to discard items, and can lead to unsafe living conditions.

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