What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hock
Example
I had to hock my watch to pay for rent. [hock: verb]
Example
He went to the pawnshop to hock his guitar. [hock: verb]
pawn
Example
He pawned his wedding ring to pay for his bills. [pawn: verb]
Example
The pawnshop offered him $50 for his old camera. [pawn: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pawn is more commonly used than hock in everyday language. Pawn is a more versatile term that can refer to both obtaining a loan and selling an item for cash, while hock is more specific to obtaining a loan by using an item as collateral.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hock and pawn?
Both hock and pawn are informal terms that are typically used in casual contexts. However, pawn is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while hock is less common and may not be appropriate for formal situations.
