Skip navigation.

hoary - What does it mean?

Definition of 'hoary'

English

Adjective

(er)
  • White or gray with age.
  • The old man bowed his hoary head in acquiescence.
  • * 1787 , , "How Firm a Foundation":
  • And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
    Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.
  • (zoology) Of a pale silvery gray.
  • (botany) Covered with short, dense, grayish white hairs; canescent.
  • (obsolete) Remote in time past.
  • (obsolete) Moldy; mossy; musty.
  • Old or old-fashioned.
  • * {{quote-news
  • |year=2012 |date=June 3 |author=Nathan Rabin |title=TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Mr. Plow” (season 4, episode 9; originally aired 11/19/1992) citation |page= |passage=In its God-like prime, The Simpsons attacked well-worn satirical fodder from unexpected angles, finding fresh laughs in the hoariest of subjects.}}

    Derived terms

    * hoarily * hoariness

    Similar to 'hoary'

    hurry, hairy, harry, hooray, hurray, herry