haw
1to utter a sound representing a hesitation or pause in speech.
a sound or pause of hesitation.: Compare hem2 (def. 3).
Origin of haw
1Words Nearby haw
Other definitions for haw (2 of 5)
(used as a word of command to a horse or other draft animal, usually directing it to turn to the left.)
to turn or make a turn to the left: The horse refused to haw.
Origin of haw
2- Compare gee1.
Other definitions for haw (3 of 5)
the fruit of the Old World hawthorn, Crataegus laevigata, or of other species of the same genus.
the hawthorn.
Origin of haw
3Other definitions for haw (4 of 5)
the thin, protective membrane at the inner corner of the lower eyelid of a horse, dog, etc.; nictitating membrane.
Origin of haw
4Other definitions for Haw. (5 of 5)
Hawaii.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use haw in a sentence
Not surprisingly, we also observed that those visiting the larger ski areas hemmed and hawed even more than usual about lift lines, parking, crowds, and limited amenities.
Resort Guide 2022 Is Here: These Are the Top 20 Resorts in the East | cobrien | October 29, 2021 | Outside OnlineWe hemmed and hawed endlessly about how to approach our new neighbors about this.
Miss Manners: New neighbors don’t want to raise a stink about smoke | Judith Martin, Nicholas Martin, Jacobina Martin | March 19, 2021 | Washington PostAny senator interested in having a higher platform from which to attract attention can hem and haw over any picayune vote to their heart’s content.
Is the choice for Democrats Joe Manchin or the minority? | Philip Bump | February 25, 2021 | Washington PostIf I could sum it up in a few choice words, I would, but instead I hem and haw, before stumbling through some rambling rejoinder.
Fear And Self-Loathing In Scandinavia: The Fiction Of Karl Ove Knausgaard | Ted Gioia | May 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey back away and hem and haw and leave it to the lower courts to implement their decisions.
Supreme Court Outlawed Executing Mentally Retarded, But Texas Does It Anyway | David R. Dow | August 14, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
A chorus of haw haws, showed how delighted his fellow-clowns were with farmer Joe's story.
The World Before Them | Susanna MoodieThe Irish title of the letter a or haw is alif, as also is the Arabian: the Greek alpha is either alpa or alfa.
Archaic England | Harold BayleyThis seemed a good joke, and they all howled and haw-hawed gleefully.
Wayside Courtships | Hamlin GarlandWhy do these—these people at the fort hem and haw and hesitate when they speak about him?
Warrior Gap | Charles KingHe looked like an animated drying-post, and the Dutch boy, in spite of his troubles, began to haw-haw wildly.
Motor Matt's Mystery | Stanley R. Matthews
British Dictionary definitions for haw (1 of 4)
/ (hɔː) /
the round or oval fruit (a pome) of the hawthorn, usually red or yellow, containing one to five seeds
another name for hawthorn
Origin of haw
1British Dictionary definitions for haw (2 of 4)
/ (hɔː) /
an inarticulate utterance, as of hesitation, embarrassment, etc; hem
(intr) to make this sound
hem and haw or hum and haw See hem 2 (def. 3)
Origin of haw
2British Dictionary definitions for haw (3 of 4)
/ (hɔː) /
archaic a yard or close
Origin of haw
3British Dictionary definitions for haw (4 of 4)
/ (hɔː) /
the nictitating membrane of a horse or other domestic animal
Origin of haw
4Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with haw
see hem and haw.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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