honed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'honed' is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to sharpening a skill or ability. For example, "Over the years, I have honed my public speaking skills and am now much more confident when giving presentations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

The cowboy that Lauren has honed throughout his career became a cowgirl – see fringed jackets and geometric south-western patterns, the kind seen on classic ponchos, here on slouchy cardigans and backpacks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Today's tooth-aware Brits can choose from an array of celebrity dentists, including Khalid Khan of Liverpool, who has worked on footballer John Barnes and singer Ian McCulloch Jamie Newlandss of Glasgow, who honed the smiles of Robert Carlyle and Sharleen Spiteri; or the Welbeck Clinic in London, which has treated Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Helena Bonham Carter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Australia's wannabe culture warriors are copying a playbook that's been honed for decades in Britain and the US.

The Guardian - Opinion

Once you've honed some basic skills it's time to start cooking.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Biz Builder Delux (£2.99) This is the latest mobile game from Kairosoft, the Japanese developer that made its name in the west with Game Dev Story, and has since honed its addictive simulation-game formula into a fine art.

The Guardian - Tech

Glatch's nifty slice sets her apart from the rest of the American contingent; it's a legitimate one-hander, one that looks honed through the years, not added in haste late in the game.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

With the well-honed professionalism of the SNP ground campaign, the message that it is safe to vote yes will be driven home every hour of every day from now to polling day.

The Guardian

We need to combine the hard commercial skills which are well-honed by the "usual suspects" with creativity, social responsibility and sheer bloody enthusiasm.

The Guardian

She combines lack of self-awareness with a contradictory but well-honed sense of what makes good clickbait.

The Guardian - Opinion

As chairman of Falkirk Football Club (1993-94 and 2002-09), Christie was much valued for his unfailingly friendly nature and well-honed political skills.

The Guardian

The insulating layer is made by exposing the silicon of the gates to pure oxygen, which is a well-honed manufacturing process.As transistors have got smaller, though, the silicon-dioxide layer has been made thinner and thinner.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "honed" to describe skills or abilities that have been improved through practice and experience. For example, "She had honed her presentation skills over many years."

Common error

Avoid using "honed" to describe a skill that is newly acquired or in its initial stages of development. "Honed" implies a level of refinement that comes with time and practice. Instead, use words like "learned" or "developed" for nascent skills.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "honed" is as a past participle or adjective, modifying nouns to describe skills, abilities, or qualities that have been improved or refined over time. Ludwig AI validates this use in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "honed" is frequently used to describe skills or abilities that have been refined through practice and experience. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct, with examples from authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian showcasing its widespread use in neutral to formal contexts. Common alternatives include "refined", "sharpened", and "perfected". When using "honed", it's important to ensure that it accurately reflects the improvement of a skill over time, rather than its initial development.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sharpened

Implies making something more acute or effective, often through direct action or training.

refined

Suggests removing impurities or imperfections to improve quality.

perfected

Indicates achieving the highest level of skill or quality.

cultivated

Implies nurturing and developing something over time, often through careful effort.

developed

Suggests gradual growth and improvement through experience or learning.

enhanced

Implies making something better or more valuable.

improved

A general term for making something better.

mastered

Suggests gaining complete control or understanding of a skill.

polished

Implies smoothing out imperfections and making something more refined.

fine-tuned

Indicates making small adjustments to optimize performance.

FAQs

How can I use "honed" in a sentence?

You can use "honed" to describe a skill, talent, or technique that has been improved or perfected through practice or experience. For example, "The chef had "honed" his culinary skills over many years of working in top restaurants."

What are some alternatives to "honed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "refined", "perfected", or "sharpened" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "well-honed skills"?

Yes, "well-"honed" skills" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to describe skills that have been developed to a high degree of proficiency.

What is the difference between "honed" and "developed"?

"Developed" implies a general growth or advancement, while ""honed"" suggests a more focused and precise refinement of an existing skill or ability.