English UsageComparison guide
Hoard vs. Horde
“Hoard” refers to a stored collection or stockpile and can also be a verb meaning to accumulate. “Horde” refers to a large crowd or group. The words are pronounced similarly in many accents but have different meanings.
Use “hoard” for a stockpile: “a hoard of coins.” Use “horde” for a crowd: “a horde of tourists.”
Key details
Hoard Corea stored supply or collection; also the verb for accumulating it
Horde Corea large crowd or group
Termshoard, horde
Further guidance
Core difference
A “hoard” is a collection or stockpile; a “horde” is a large crowd or group.
Fast Test
If you can substitute “stockpile,” choose “hoard.” If you can substitute “crowd,” choose “horde.”
Grammar Note
“Hoard” can be both noun and verb; “horde” is chiefly a noun in this comparison.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Hoard — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Meaning of hoard as a stored collection and the related verb
- Horde — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Meaning of horde as a large crowd or group