Definition of HOBNAIL

hobnail

Plural: hobnails

Noun

  • a short nail with a thick head; used to protect the soles of boots
  • A short nail with a thick head, typically used in boot soles.
  • A yokel; a rustic.

Verb

Verb Forms: hobnailed, hobnailing, hobnails

  • To fit a shoe sole with short, broad-headed nails.
  • supply with hobnails
  • To fit with hobnails.
  • To tread down roughly, as with hobnailed shoes.

Examples

  • He wanted to HOBNAIL his strategy, making it sturdy against any opponent’s moves.

Origin / Etymology

From hob + nail. The oldest attestation is in William Shakespeare, but he likely did not coin the term.

Scrabble Score: 12

hobnail: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
hobnail: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
hobnail: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

hobnail: valid Words With Friends Word