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hoss

(Southern US, slang) A big, strong and respected or dependable person, usually a man; one who is large like a horse.

hɔːsCurrent254 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🗺️ Regional & Other
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#1·Apr 27, 2026

(Southern US, slang) A big, strong and respected or dependable person, usually a man; one who is large like a horse.

“That ole black hoss let out a whinny.”
Origin: A dialectal pronunciation of horse; see also 'oss in English dialects with h-dropping. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

Hoss means: A big, strong and respected or dependable person, usually a man; one who is large like a horse.. It is informal slang, fine in casual speech but not suited to formal contexts. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

hoss means: A big, strong and respected or dependable person, usually a man; one who is large like a horse.. Register: very informal, slang. Suitable only for casual conversation, chat and social media. Do not use in business, academic or news writing. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.

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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(Northwestern US, slang) A car.

What's up, hoss?
Cluster: general
Heard in the wild
  • “Hoss Double Wheel Hoe | Cultivate, Weed, Plow and Maintain Your Garden! #farming #Amish #doublewheelhoe #garden #hoe #weeder”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “ELECTRA/PERSONA featuring Cate Blanchett, Nina Hoss, and Ella Lily Hyland at the National Theatre. The play by Benedict Andrews runs from 19 August to 10 October 2026. Member booking on 12 and 14 May Public booking on 21 May → www.cate-blanchett.com/2026/05/06/c...”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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For specific readers

Hoss means: A big, strong and respected or dependable person, usually a man; one who is large like a horse.. It is informal slang, fine in casual speech but not suited to formal contexts. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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🗺️About Regional & Other slang

Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.

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