hone in
verb
George PlimptonBob GreeneLisa Russell
Hone in vs. Home in: Usage Guide
Most usage commentators consider hone in to be a mistake for home in. The use may have arisen from home in by the weakening of the \m\ sound to \n\ or it may have developed simply because of the influence of hone, with perhaps an underlying sense that "honing" figuratively involves a narrowing or sharpening of focus. Whatever the explanation of its origins, it has established itself in American English and has begun to make a few inroads into British English as well. Even so, your use of it especially in writing is likely to be called a mistake. Home in or in figurative use zero in is an easy alternative.
Examples of hone in in a Sentence
Katie Bain, Billboard, 30 May 2025
The former monk also gave specific advice on how to hone in on what's important in life.
—Melody Chiu, People.com, 27 May 2025
Amplify your intentions by honing in on your goals for your home, family, and personal life during the new moon in Cancer one day later.
—Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 27 May 2025
Prosecutors have tried to hone in on the criminality of what transpired between Combs and Ventura rather than the trials and tribulations of their relationship, said Sarah Krissoff, a former assistant US attorney for the Southern District of New York.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hone in
Cite this Entry
“Hone in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hone%20in. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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