Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “honking” come from?

Honking is an English word of imitative origin, formed from the verb honk, which reproduces the sound of a goose or horn.

honking (English): present participle of honk; A sound that honks;...

Definitions

  1. present participle of honk; A sound that honks;...

Ancestry of “honking”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishhonkin'Emphatically or impressively big; really big;...
2EnglishhonkinglyWith a honking sound; Greatly, hugely,...
3EnglishlyAbbreviation of light-year
4VietnameselyAlternative spelling of li

Words derived from “honking”

  • honking
  • honkingly
  • honkin'
Every word from Vietnamese ly →