Yes, e.g., 'three hoses', but can be uncountable when referring to the material/length: 'a piece of hose'.

What's the difference between 'hose' and 'pipe'?

A hose is flexible and often temporary; a pipe is rigid and usually fixed in place.

Is 'hose' for stockings still used?

Rarely alone; it's mostly in compounds like 'pantyhose' or in historical/formal contexts.

Can 'hose' be used without 'down' as a verb?

Yes, but 'hose down' is more common for thorough washing. 'Hose off' is used for lighter cleaning.

hose

UK/həʊz/US/hoʊz/

Informal to neutral; technical for fire/garden contexts.

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A flexible tube for conveying liquids or gases.

Also refers to leg coverings (stockings/tights) and the action of using a hose.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Three main senses: 1) a flexible pipe, 2) leg garments (archaic/dated), 3) verb meaning to wash/spray with a hose.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

The garment sense ('pantyhose', 'stockings') is more common in US fashion retail; 'hose' alone for garments is dated in both. 'Hose down' (verb) is equally common.

Connotations

In UK, 'hose' for garden/water is primary; in US, 'hose' also strongly associated with 'pantyhose'.

Frequency

Noun (tube) is high frequency in both; verb usage ('hose down') is medium frequency.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

garden hosefire hosehose downhose pipewater hose

medium

length of hosehose reelhose connectorspray with a hose

weak

drinking hosehose awayplastic hose

Grammar

Valency Patterns

hose sth downhose sb/sth (with water)hose off the dirt

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

watering tubesprayernozzle

Neutral

pipetubeflexible pipe

Weak

conduitlinesprinkler

Vocabulary

Antonyms

solid piperigid conduitpermanent fixture

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“hose down the evidence”
“everything but the kitchen sink (hose implied)”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rare, except in manufacturing/supply of industrial hoses.

Academic

Rare; technical in engineering/fluid dynamics.

Everyday

Common in gardening, cleaning, fire safety contexts.

Technical

In firefighting, agriculture, irrigation, automotive (coolant hose).

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

I'll need to hose down the patio after the party.
He hosed the mud off his wellies.

American English

Hose off your boots before you come inside.
They hosed down the sidewalk to cool it.

Examples

By CEFR Level

The garden hose is green.
Water comes out of the hose.

Can you please water the plants with the hose?
We need a longer hose to reach the flower beds.

The firefighter quickly unrolled the heavy-duty hose.
After the beach, we hosed the sand off our feet.

The industrial coolant hose ruptured, causing the machinery to overheat.
They methodically hosed down the entire contaminated area.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

HOSE sounds like 'flows' – a hose helps liquid flow.

Conceptual Metaphor

CHANNEL/VEIN (a hose as a vein for water).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Do not confuse with 'хоз' (short for хозяйственный).
Avoid using for 'шланг' only; in garments, it's 'колготки'.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect plural: 'hoses' (correct) vs 'hose' (uncountable for types).
Using 'hose' as a verb without particle: 'I will hose the car' (less common than 'hose down').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

Before storing it, make sure you drain the completely to prevent freezing.

Multiple Choice

Which of these is a correct usage of 'hose' as a verb?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, e.g., 'three hoses', but can be uncountable when referring to the material/length: 'a piece of hose'.
: A hose is flexible and often temporary; a pipe is rigid and usually fixed in place.
: Rarely alone; it's mostly in compounds like 'pantyhose' or in historical/formal contexts.
: Yes, but 'hose down' is more common for thorough washing. 'Hose off' is used for lighter cleaning.

Explore

Related Words

hosiery sock tights tube tubing