hoary

USAGE SUMMARY

"hoary" is a correctly spelled and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that can be used to describe something that is very old and grey, usually referring to an object such as a building or tree. For example, "The hoary old tree stood in the centre of the park, its branches gnarled from years of exposure to the elements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I adore San Francisco's hoary old-timers, preserved in some kind of delicious aspic – everything from vast, crisp apple fritter donuts from Bob's to equally vast, expertly mesquite-grilled steaks at the clubby Alfred's (leave their uninspired Italian food for the tourists and don't miss the justifiably legendary martinis).

The Guardian - Travel

Rubio eventually works his way around to truly presidential-level hedging on same sex marriage not seen since the hoary days of 2008.

The Guardian - Opinion

The BBC's new docu-drama series, Armada, opened last night with visual reenactments of all the hoary tropes of Elizabethan storytelling: a beleaguered isle, led by a vacillating queen; plucky English sailors knocking together a flotilla from the few planks of driftwood and some Vaseline; wordless, faceless Spaniards, bearing down with dark crucifixes upon their captives as instruments of torture.

The Guardian - Opinion

If that's the case, I'm pretty sure that everyone who saw Pulp Fiction – and there are millions of them – immediately went out and made their own cloth-eared, non-linear ensemble gangster movie of questionable worth, stuffed with hoary old has-been actors and endless, desperate, directionless patter.

The Guardian - Film

The sensible thing – the Miliband thing – would have been to claim that he only watched hoary old war documentaries or snooker retrospectives.

The Guardian

The consequences for Britain's hoary political system, if unable to bring about the stable government the country craves, were predicted to be grave; and they may yet be.

The Economist

A hoary plan to build a canal in Nicaragua was dusted off last month, surely not by coincidence.

The Economist

In this section Riding a tiger Out of sight No choice Struggling The power and the hoary ReprintsFor decades Malaysia has allowed Islamic courts to operate in parallel with secular ones, handing down rulings on civil matters to Muslims.

The Economist

Like Mr Blair (who welcomed the speech), Mr Miliband threatened to overturn a hoary party tradition; in his case, automatic donations to Labour by union members.

The Economist

For textile firms, trade continues to be regulated by the hoary old Multifibre Arrangement, which still contrives to protect the textile industry in rich countries where labour costs far more than in China.

The Economist

Buy from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.ukTHE hoary old question for China is whether, as it gets richer and more capitalist, liberal democracy will inevitably follow.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hoary" when you want to evoke a sense of great age and perhaps a bit of mustiness or tradition, particularly in formal writing or when describing historical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "hoary" in contexts where a purely positive or respectful tone is needed, as it can sometimes imply decay or being outdated, unlike words like "venerable".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "hoary" primarily functions as a descriptive modifier, attributing the quality of being old and gray, or ancient, to a noun. Ludwig highlights the varied usage across different contexts, showcasing its descriptive power.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hoary" is an adjective denoting something old and gray, or ancient. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and formal business communications. While generally neutral, it can sometimes suggest decay, so mindful use is advised. Alternative words include "ancient", "aged", and "venerable", each offering slightly different connotations. As Ludwig AI has indicated, the term is widely accepted and useful for evoking a sense of age and tradition. Therefore, use "hoary" when you want to give an aged or historical feel to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aged

A straightforward synonym emphasizing the process of aging.

ancient

Replaces "hoary" with a more common synonym, focusing on age.

of great age

A more formal and descriptive way to express oldness.

venerable

Implies respect due to age, adding a layer of positive connotation absent in "hoary".

time-worn

Highlights the wear and tear caused by age, differing from the neutral tone of "hoary".

archaic

Implies something extremely old and no longer in common use.

antiquated

Indicates something outdated or obsolete, unlike the simple agedness suggested by "hoary".

long-standing

Emphasizes duration over age, suitable for traditions or institutions.

old-fashioned

Suggests something out of style, which is a specific type of being old.

historical

Connects something to the past, focusing on its importance in history rather than just age.

FAQs

What does "hoary" mean?

"Hoary" typically means old and gray or white with age. It can also describe something ancient or venerable.

How can I use "hoary" in a sentence?

You might say, "The "hoary tradition" of the festival continues to this day" or "The old man had a "hoary beard" reaching his chest".

What are some synonyms for "hoary"?

Alternatives include "ancient", "aged", "venerable", and "antiquated", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is "hoary" a positive or negative term?

The term "hoary" is generally neutral, though it can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation when emphasizing decay or obsolescence. Words like "venerable" might be more appropriate when you wish to convey respect.