hid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A2Neutral. Common in all spoken and written registers.
Quick answer
What does “hid” mean?
The past tense and past participle of 'hide': to put or keep something/someone out of sight.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The past tense and past participle of 'hide': to put or keep something/someone out of sight; to conceal.
Can metaphorically refer to concealing emotions, information, or intentions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The form 'hid' is standard in both varieties.
Connotations
None specific to either variety.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “hid” in a Sentence
[Subject] hid [Object].[Subject] hid [Object] [Prepositional Phrase].[Subject] hid [Object] from [Someone].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hid” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She hid the keys in the biscuit tin.
- The fox hid in the undergrowth.
- He had hid the letter before anyone arrived.
American English
- She hid the keys in the cookie jar.
- The raccoon hid in the bushes.
- He'd hid the letter before anyone arrived.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare in formal business writing. Might appear in narratives, e.g., 'The report hid the true scale of the losses.'
Academic
Used in historical or narrative contexts. Less common in theoretical discourse.
Everyday
Very common in storytelling and casual conversation.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hid”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hid”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hid”
- Using 'hided' (incorrect regularisation).
- Confusing with 'hide' (present tense).
- Spelling as 'hidde'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is less common than 'hidden'. 'Hid' as a past participle is often considered informal or dialectal (e.g., 'I've hid it'). 'Hidden' is the standard form.
'Hid' is the simple past tense. 'Hidden' is the standard past participle used with auxiliary verbs like 'have', 'has', 'had' (e.g., 'has hidden') and as an adjective (e.g., 'a hidden door').
Yes. It is common for both objects and people/oneself (e.g., 'He hid in the attic', 'She hid the child').
No, 'hided' is not a standard form. 'Hid' is the correct past tense of 'hide'. 'Hided' exists only as the past tense of a different, rare verb 'to hide' meaning to beat with a whip.
The past tense and past participle of 'hide': to put or keep something/someone out of sight.
Hid is usually neutral. common in all spoken and written registers. in register.
Hid: in British English it is pronounced /hɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /hɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hid his light under a bushel”
- “hid her time”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a KID who HID a LID. The 'i' sound is the same.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING IS SEEING / IGNORANCE IS DARKNESS (e.g., 'He hid the facts' prevents others from 'seeing' the truth).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'hid' correctly?