hornet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral; appears in both formal and informal contexts, with metaphorical use more common in formal/written English.
Quick answer
What does “hornet” mean?
A large wasp, typically with a brown and yellow striped body, known for its painful sting and aggressive defense of its nest.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large wasp, typically with a brown and yellow striped body, known for its painful sting and aggressive defense of its nest.
Often used metaphorically to refer to a source of aggressive, persistent, and troublesome opposition or a situation that provokes a fierce backlash.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in literal meaning or usage. The metaphorical idiom is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical strong connotations of danger, aggression, and provoking a severe reaction.
Frequency
Equally low frequency for the literal term; the idiom is moderately common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “hornet” in a Sentence
The [investigation/journalist] stirred up a hornet's nest of [corruption/controversy].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hornet” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not standard; verb use is exceptionally rare and non-lexicalised.)
American English
- (Not standard; verb use is exceptionally rare and non-lexicalised.)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable; no adverbial form.)
American English
- (Not applicable; no adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard as an adjective; attributive use as in 'hornet sting' is a noun modifier.)
American English
- (Not standard as an adjective; attributive use as in 'hornet attack' is a noun modifier.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'The new audit report has stirred up a hornet's nest in the accounting department.'
Academic
Literal in biology/entomology; metaphorical in social sciences to describe contentious issues.
Everyday
Literal: 'I got stung by a hornet.' Metaphorical: 'You're really stirring up a hornet's nest by asking about his ex-wife.'
Technical
Used precisely in entomology to refer to species in the genera Vespa and sometimes Dolichovespula.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hornet”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hornet”
- Incorrect plural: 'hornets' (correct), not 'hornet'. Misuse of article in idiom: 'a hornet's nest', not 'the hornets nest' (unless specific).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Hornets are a specific subset of wasps (family Vespidae), typically larger and often more aggressive. All hornets are wasps, but not all wasps are hornets.
No, 'hornet' is not a standard verb in modern English. The related action is expressed through idioms like 'stir up a hornet's nest'.
It draws on the real-world behaviour of hornets, which swarm and attack aggressively when their nest is disturbed, symbolising the fierce backlash from provoking a sensitive issue.
In the idiom, the standard and correct form is 'a hornet's nest' (possessive, meaning the nest of a hornet/hornets). Omitting the apostrophe is considered a spelling error.
A large wasp, typically with a brown and yellow striped body, known for its painful sting and aggressive defense of its nest.
Hornet is usually neutral; appears in both formal and informal contexts, with metaphorical use more common in formal/written english. in register.
Hornet: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɔː.nɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɔːr.nɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “stir up a hornet's nest”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HORNET sounds like 'HORNet' - think of a HORn (loud warning) and a NET (trap). A hornet is a loud, buzzing insect that can trap you with its sting.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PROBLEMATIC SITUATION/OPPOSITION IS A HORNET'S NEST (to be stirred up/provoked).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary metaphorical meaning of 'a hornet's nest'?