What's the Difference Between 'Hoard' and 'Horde'?

In this blog post we look at when to use hoard and when to use horde.

'Hoard' or 'Horde'?

The words "hoard" and "horde" are related in meaning but are used in different contexts.

A "hoard" is a large collection of something that is kept hidden or stored away for future use.

It can refer to a treasure trove of valuable items, or it can refer to a large collection of something that is considered less valuable, such as food or supplies.

For example, "He had hoarded a large collection of rare stamps."

A "horde" refers to a large group of people or animals, often used in the context of an invading or overwhelming force. It can also be used to refer to a large crowd of people.

For example "The horde of tourists descended on the small town."

In summary, hoard refers to a large collection of something kept hidden or stored away, while horde refers to a large group of people or animals that may be considered an overwhelming or invading force.

Here are some example sentences to illustrate the difference between “hoard” and “horde”:

 "He had hoarded a large collection of rare stamps."

In this sentence the word "hoarded" is a verb meaning to collect and save a large amount of something valuable, in this case stamps, for future use or for personal satisfaction.

"The horde of tourists descended on the small town."

In this sentence the word "horde" is a noun, referring to a large group of people, in this case tourists, that came to the small town, usually with the connotation of being overwhelming or invading.

"She hoarded food in case of a disaster."

In this sentence the word "hoarded" is a verb, meaning to collect and save a large amount of something, in this case food, for future use or for personal satisfaction, in this case, in case of a disaster.

"The horde of barbarians invaded the city."

In this sentence the word "horde" is a noun, referring to a large group of people, in this case barbarians, that came to the city, usually with the connotation of being overwhelming or invading.

Examples of Hoard in a Sentence

  1. The hoard of treasure was discovered buried deep in the cave.

  2. She had a hoard of old letters and photographs in a chest under her bed.

  3. The dragon was known to hoard piles of shiny objects in its lair.

  4. He accumulated a hoard of wealth through years of careful investment.

  5. The squirrel hoarded acorns for the winter months.

  6. The hoard of ancient artifacts was carefully catalogued by the archaeologist.

  7. The hoard of gold coins was found hidden in the walls of the old castle.

  8. The hoard of valuable stamps was passed down through generations of the family.

  9. The hoard of precious gems was stolen from the jewelry store.

  10. The hoard of food stored in the pantry would last them for several months.

Examples of Horde in a Sentence

  1. A horde of zombies shuffled through the streets, searching for their next victims.

  2. The horde of tourists descended upon the small town, overwhelming the local businesses.

  3. The horde of warriors charged into battle, their weapons raised high.

  4. The horde of children ran through the park, laughing and playing.

  5. The horde of ants worked tirelessly to gather food for their colony.

  6. The horde of shoppers rushed through the store on Black Friday, grabbing deals.

  7. The horde of cars on the highway made the commute a frustrating experience.

  8. The horde of people in the concert hall was so loud that it was hard to hear the music.

  9. The horde of paparazzi followed the celebrity everywhere they went.

  10. The horde of people at the station were trying to catch the last train of the night.


Hoard or Horde
Hoard or Horde