What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hooting
Example
The hooting of the owl could be heard throughout the forest. [hooting: noun]
Example
The driver behind me kept hooting his horn impatiently. [hooting: verb]
honking
Example
The honking of the geese signaled the start of their migration. [honking: noun]
Example
The taxi driver honked his horn loudly to get the pedestrian's attention. [honked: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Honking is more commonly used than hooting in everyday language, especially in the context of cars and traffic. Hooting is less common and is typically used to describe the sound made by birds.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hooting and honking?
Both hooting and honking are informal words that are typically used in casual conversation. However, honking may be used in more formal contexts, such as to describe a car horn in a news article or legal document.
