Intermediate Words That Start With H

Intermediate Words That Start With H

Looking to expand your vocabulary with words that start with “H”? Let’s dive into some intermediate-level words that will not only impress but also enhance your communication skills.

List of Intermediate Words That Start With H

Intermediate Words That Start With H with meanings and example

Habit

• Meaning: A regular practice or routine.
• Example: “Brushing your teeth daily is a good habit.”

Hacker

• Meaning: A person who uses computers to gain unauthorized access to data.
• Example: “The company hired experts to protect their system from hackers.”

Hail

• Meaning: Small pellets of frozen rain.
• Example: “The storm brought heavy hail, damaging crops.”

Halt

• Meaning: To stop something or come to a stop.
• Example: “The protestors called for a halt to the construction.”

Handy

• Meaning: Convenient to handle or use.
• Example: “A pocketknife is a handy tool for camping trips.”

Hang

• Meaning: To suspend or be suspended from above.
• Example: “She decided to hang the painting above the fireplace.”

Harm

• Meaning: Physical or mental damage or injury.
• Example: “The policy aims to reduce harm to the environment.”

Haste

• Meaning: Speed in movement or action; hurry.
• Example: “In her haste, she forgot to lock the door.”

Hatch

• Meaning: To emerge from an egg.
• Example: “The chicks began to hatch after 21 days.”

Haunt

• Meaning: To visit frequently or habitually, often in a disturbing way.
• Example: “The old house was said to be haunted by ghosts.”

Havoc

• Meaning: Widespread destruction or disorder.
• Example: “The hurricane wreaked havoc along the coast.”

Hefty

• Meaning: Heavy; substantial.
• Example: “The contractor charged a hefty fee for the repairs.”

Herald

• Meaning: To announce or signal the arrival of something.
• Example: “The blooming flowers herald the arrival of spring.”

Hesitate

• Meaning: To pause before saying or doing something, often due to uncertainty.
• Example: “She hesitated before making the difficult decision.”

Hinder

• Meaning: To create difficulties, causing delay or obstruction.
• Example: “Bad weather can hinder construction projects.”

Humble

• Meaning: Having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s importance.
• Example: “Despite his success, he remained humble.”

Hurdle

• Meaning: An obstacle or difficulty that must be overcome.
• Example: “The biggest hurdle in his career was finding the right job.”

Hustle

• Meaning: To work or move energetically and rapidly.
• Example: “She had to hustle to catch the last train.”

Habitual

• Meaning: Done or doing constantly or as a habit.
• Example: “He was a habitual latecomer to meetings.”

Haggard

• Meaning: Looking exhausted and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering.
• Example: “After the long journey, she appeared haggard and worn.”

Hailstorm

• Meaning: A storm characterized by the fall of hail.
• Example: “The hailstorm damaged the car’s windshield.”

Handcuff

• Meaning: A pair of metal rings joined by a chain, used for fastening a person’s wrists together.
• Example: “The police used handcuffs to restrain the suspect.”

Handmade

• Meaning: Made by hand, not by machine.
• Example: “She prefers wearing handmade jewelry.”

Hassle

• Meaning: Inconvenience or trouble.
• Example: “Moving to a new house was a major hassle.”

Harbor

• Meaning: A place on the coast where ships may moor in shelter.
• Example: “The ship docked safely in the harbor.”

Harmful

• Meaning: Causing or likely to cause harm.
• Example: “Smoking is harmful to your health.”

Hasty

• Meaning: Done with excessive speed or urgency; hurried.
• Example: “He made a hasty decision without thinking it through.”

Haven

• Meaning: A place of safety or refuge.
• Example: “The park was a haven for wildlife.”

Hatchery

• Meaning: A place where the hatching of eggs, especially those of fish or poultry, is artificially controlled.
• Example: “The hatchery was filled with newly hatched chicks.”

Haunted

• Meaning: Inhabited or frequented by ghosts.
• Example: “The haunted mansion attracted many tourists.”

Heave

• Meaning: To lift or haul something heavy with great effort.
• Example: “They had to heave the boulder out of the way.”

Helix

• Meaning: A spiral shape.
• Example: “The staircase spiraled upward like a helix.”

Hesitant

• Meaning: Tentative, unsure, or slow in acting or speaking.
• Example: “She was hesitant to invest in the new business.”

Hobble

• Meaning: To walk in an awkward way, typically because of pain from an injury.
• Example: “The injured player hobbled off the field.”

Homage

• Meaning: Special honor or respect shown publicly.
• Example: “The statue was erected in homage to the war heroes.”

Hooked

• Meaning: Addicted or strongly attracted to something.
• Example: “He got hooked on the new TV series after the first episode.”

Hydrate

• Meaning: To cause to absorb water.
• Example: “It’s important to hydrate after a workout.”

Hurt

• Meaning: To cause physical pain or injury to someone.
• Example: “She hurt her ankle during the hike.”

Hoodlum

• Meaning: A violent criminal or gangster.
• Example: “The police were on the lookout for the hoodlum who had escaped.”

Hushed

• Meaning: Having a calm and quiet atmosphere.
• Example: “The room fell hushed as the speaker began.”

Hasten

• Meaning: To be quick to do something.
• Example: “He hastened to apologize for his mistake.”

Harsh

• Meaning: Unpleasantly rough or jarring to the senses.
• Example: “The harsh winter left the town covered in snow.”

Hike

• Meaning: A long walk, especially in the countryside.
• Example: “They went on a hike through the mountains.”

Hoist

• Meaning: To raise or lift something, often with a pulley system.
• Example: “The workers hoisted the flag to the top of the pole.”

Huddle

• Meaning: To crowd together closely.
• Example: “The team huddled together to discuss the strategy.”

Harmonic

• Meaning: Relating to or characterized by harmony.
• Example: “The harmonic blend of voices created a beautiful melody.”

Heed

• Meaning: To pay attention to; take notice of.
• Example: “She failed to heed the warning and got lost.”

Headstrong

• Meaning: Energetically willful and determined.
• Example: “Her headstrong attitude often led to conflicts with others.”

Hollowness

• Meaning: The state of being empty inside.
• Example: “There was a sense of hollowness in his voice after the tragedy.”

Hysterical

• Meaning: Deriving from or affected by uncontrolled extreme emotion.
• Example: “She became hysterical after hearing the shocking news.”

Hollow

• Meaning: Having a hole or empty space inside.
• Example: “The tree had a hollow trunk where animals could hide.”

Hesitancy

• Meaning: The state of being unsure or slow to act or speak.
• Example: “His hesitancy in answering the question was noticeable.”

Honed

• Meaning: Sharpened or perfected.
• Example: “He honed his skills as a craftsman over many years.”

Hawkish

• Meaning: Aggressively in favor of using military force.
• Example: “The senator took a hawkish stance on national security.”

Heft

• Meaning: The weight of something.
• Example: “The hefty book was difficult to carry.”

Hackneyed

• Meaning: Overused and lacking in originality.
• Example: “The movie’s plot was predictable and hackneyed.”

Hologram

• Meaning: A three-dimensional image formed by the interference of light beams.
• Example: “The concert featured a hologram of the late singer.”

Helpless

• Meaning: Unable to defend oneself or to act without help.
• Example: “The kitten looked helpless and scared.”

Hurdles

• Meaning: Obstacles or difficulties that need to be overcome.
• Example: “She faced many hurdles in her journey to success.”

Hymn

• Meaning: A religious song or poem of praise to God.
• Example: “The congregation sang hymns during the service.”

Histrionic

• Meaning: Overly theatrical or melodramatic in character or style.
• Example: “Her histrionic behavior annoyed her friends.”

Harshly

• Meaning: In a severe or cruel manner.
• Example: “The teacher harshly criticized the student for the mistake.”

Hilarious

• Meaning: Extremely amusing.
• Example: “The comedian’s performance was absolutely hilarious.”

Hood

• Meaning: A covering for the head and neck.
• Example: “She pulled up her hood to protect herself from the rain.”

Hierarchical

• Meaning: Arranged in order of rank.
• Example: “The company had a strict hierarchical structure.”

Hog

• Meaning: A domesticated pig.
• Example: “The farm was home to several hogs.”

Hymnal

• Meaning: A book of hymns.
• Example: “She opened the hymnal to find the correct page.”

Heap

• Meaning: A large, disordered pile of things.
• Example: “There was a heap of laundry on the floor.”

Hurdling

• Meaning: The sport of running and jumping over hurdles.
• Example: “She excelled in hurdling during her school years.”

Hoopla

• Meaning: Excitement surrounding an event or situation.
• Example: “The media created a lot of hoopla around the celebrity wedding.”

Hijack

• Meaning: To unlawfully seize control of an aircraft, vehicle, or ship.
• Example: “The pirates attempted to hijack the cargo ship.”

Heftily

• Meaning: In a heavy or substantial manner.
• Example: “The box was heftily packed with books.”

Heftiness

• Meaning: The quality of being heavy or substantial.
• Example: “The heftiness of the package made it difficult to carry.”

Hostile

• Meaning: Unfriendly or antagonistic.
• Example: “The negotiations were met with a hostile attitude from the other party.”

Hunger

• Meaning: A strong desire or craving.
• Example: “She felt a hunger for knowledge.”

Hitch

• Meaning: A temporary interruption or problem.
• Example: “The project went off without a hitch.”

Hogwash

• Meaning: Nonsense or worthless talk.
• Example: “His explanation was nothing but hogwash.”

Hitchhike

• Meaning: To travel by getting free rides from passing vehicles.
• Example: “They decided to hitchhike to the festival.”

Hubbub

• Meaning: A chaotic noise caused by a crowd of people.
• Example: “The hubbub of the market made it difficult to hear.”

Hyperbole

• Meaning: Exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally.
• Example: “His claim of being the best was just hyperbole.”

Holograph

• Meaning: A manuscript handwritten by its author.
• Example: “The letter was a holograph, written by the poet himself.”

Hollowly

• Meaning: In a way that sounds empty or without substance.
• Example: “His voice echoed hollowly in the empty hall.”

Hazard

• Meaning: A danger or risk.
• Example: “Wet floors can be a slip hazard.”

Hale

• Meaning: Strong and healthy, especially for someone of an advanced age.
• Example: “Despite his years, he remained hale and hearty.”

Hummus

• Meaning: A Middle Eastern dip made from chickpeas and sesame seeds.
• Example: “She served hummus with pita bread as an appetizer.”

Hub

• Meaning: The central part of a wheel, or a center of activity.
• Example: “The city is a major hub for transportation.”

Headland

• Meaning: A narrow piece of land that projects from a coastline into the sea.
• Example: “The lighthouse was built on the headland.”

Hassled

• Meaning: Bothered or troubled.
• Example: “She felt hassled by the constant demands at work.”

Hurdled

• Meaning: To jump over a barrier while running.
• Example: “The athlete hurdled over each obstacle with ease.”

Hostility

• Meaning: Unfriendly or antagonistic behavior.
• Example: “There was clear hostility between the two rivals.”

Hypnosis

• Meaning: A trance-like state in which a person is more easily influenced.
• Example: “The therapist used hypnosis to help the patient quit smoking.”

Headway

• Meaning: Progress, especially when it is difficult to achieve.
• Example: “The team made significant headway in the project.”

Handicap

• Meaning: A condition that markedly restricts a person’s ability to function.
• Example: “The athlete competed successfully despite his handicap.”

Hoard

• Meaning: A stockpile of valuable items, often kept secret.
• Example: “The pirate’s hoard of treasure was hidden on the island.”

Heedless

• Meaning: Showing a reckless lack of care or attention.
• Example: “Heedless of the danger, he walked into the storm.”

Humid

• Meaning: Marked by a high level of moisture in the air.
• Example: “The weather was hot and humid.”

Hinge

• Meaning: A movable joint or mechanism on which a door, gate, or lid swings.
• Example: “The door creaked on its rusty hinge.”

Hearty

• Meaning: Cheerful and lively; also, substantial (e.g., meal).
• Example: “They enjoyed a hearty breakfast before starting their day.”

Hush

• Meaning: A silence or stillness.
• Example: “A hush fell over the audience as the play began.”

Harshness

• Meaning: The quality of being rough or severe.
• Example: “The harshness of the winter made it difficult to travel.”

Hodgepodge

• Meaning: A confusing mixture or jumble.
• Example: “The meal was a hodgepodge of leftovers.”

Hijacking

• Meaning: The act of unlawfully seizing control of a vehicle.
• Example: “The hijacking of the plane made international headlines.”

Heaving

• Meaning: Lifting or pulling with effort.
• Example: “She was heaving the heavy boxes into the truck.”

Hoodwink

• Meaning: To deceive or trick.
• Example: “He tried to hoodwink them into buying a faulty product.”

Hyphen

• Meaning: A punctuation mark (-) used to join words.
• Example: “The hyphen in ‘well-known’ connects the words together.”

Hassles

• Meaning: Annoying inconveniences or problems.
• Example: “Traveling without a plan can lead to a lot of hassles.”

Hatchback

• Meaning: A car with a door at the back that opens upward.
• Example: “She bought a hatchback for its spacious trunk.”

Hallowed

• Meaning: Regarded as holy or sacred.
• Example: “The church is built on hallowed ground.”

Humor

• Meaning: The quality of being amusing or funny.
• Example: “His sense of humor always lightens the mood.”

Holographic

• Meaning: Related to or involving holograms.
• Example: “The museum displayed a holographic image of a dinosaur.”

Helical

• Meaning: Shaped like a spiral.
• Example: “The DNA molecule has a helical structure.”

Hydraulic

• Meaning: Operated by the movement of fluid, usually oil or water.
• Example: “The hydraulic lift made it easier to raise the car.”

Hypertension

• Meaning: Abnormally high blood pressure.
• Example: “He was diagnosed with hypertension and advised to reduce stress.”

Harem

• Meaning: A group of women associated with one man.
• Example: “The prince’s harem was known for its beauty and grace.”

Hobnob

• Meaning: To socialize with people of higher status.
• Example: “She enjoyed hobnobbing with celebrities at the event.”

Hymns

• Meaning: Religious songs or poems of praise to God.
• Example: “The choir sang hymns during the service.”

Haggle

• Meaning: To negotiate or argue over the price of something.
• Example: “He haggled with the vendor to get a better deal.”

Hover

• Meaning: To remain in one place in the air.
• Example: “The drone hovered over the field, capturing footage.”

Haze

• Meaning: A slight obscuration of the lower atmosphere, typically caused by fine suspended particles.
• Example: “The city was shrouded in a thick haze.”

Hectic

• Meaning: Full of incessant or frantic activity.
• Example: “The days leading up to the event were hectic.”

Hound

• Meaning: A type of dog used for hunting.
• Example: “The hound followed the scent of the fox.”

Haggling

• Meaning: The act of negotiating or arguing over the price of something.
• Example: “Haggling over the price of souvenirs is common in markets.”

Halcyon

• Meaning: Denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful.
• Example: “She often reminisced about the halcyon days of her youth.”

Hovel

• Meaning: A small, squalid, unpleasant, or simply constructed dwelling.
• Example: “The family lived in a hovel on the outskirts of town.”

Helm

• Meaning: A position of control or leadership.
• Example: “He took the helm of the company after his father retired.”

Hackle

• Meaning: The erectile hairs along the back of a dog or other animal that rise when it is angry or alarmed.
• Example: “The dog’s hackles rose when it saw the stranger.”

Heat

• Meaning: The quality of being hot or warm.
• Example: “The heat from the fire warmed the entire room.”

Hopeless

• Meaning: Feeling or causing despair about something.
• Example: “He felt hopeless about his chances of passing the exam.”

Hollered

• Meaning: Shouted loudly.
• Example: “He hollered for help when he saw the smoke.”

Hatchling

• Meaning: A young animal that has recently emerged from its egg.
• Example: “The bird carefully tended to its hatchlings.”

Hostel

• Meaning: An inexpensive place for travelers to stay, often with shared rooms.
• Example: “They stayed at a hostel during their backpacking trip.”

Heavily

• Meaning: To a great degree; very much.
• Example: “It rained heavily all night.”

Humorously

• Meaning: In a way that is amusing or funny.
• Example: “He humorously described his misadventures.”

Humming

• Meaning: Making a low, steady continuous sound.
• Example: “The air conditioner was quietly humming in the background.”

Hedge

• Meaning: A fence or boundary formed by closely growing bushes or shrubs.
• Example: “The garden was surrounded by a thick hedge.”

Hamper

• Meaning: To hinder or impede the movement or progress of something.
• Example: “The heavy rain hampered their efforts to finish the work.”

Homer

• Meaning: A home run in baseball.
• Example: “He hit a homer in the final inning, winning the game.”

Heirloom

• Meaning: A valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations.
• Example: “The necklace was a family heirloom passed down from her grandmother.”

Horrific

• Meaning: Causing horror.
• Example: “The movie’s depiction of the accident was horrific.”

Household

• Meaning: The people who live together in one house.
• Example: “The entire household pitched in to clean up after the party.”

Howl

• Meaning: A long, loud, doleful cry uttered by an animal such as a dog or wolf.
• Example: “The wolves began to howl as the moon rose.”

Humorist

• Meaning: A person who writes or performs humorous material.
• Example: “Mark Twain was a famous American humorist.”

Holistic

• Meaning: Relating to the whole of something or to the total system instead of just to its parts.
• Example: “The doctor took a holistic approach to treating the patient.”

Hawthorn

• Meaning: A type of thorny shrub or tree.
• Example: “The hawthorn bushes were in full bloom.”

Haul

• Meaning: To pull or drag something with effort.
• Example: “They had to haul the heavy equipment up the hill.”

Harmonica

• Meaning: A small musical instrument played by blowing air through it.
• Example: “He played a lively tune on his harmonica.”

Hyperactive

• Meaning: Abnormally or extremely active.
• Example: “The child was so hyperactive that it was hard to keep up with him.”

Hedgehog

• Meaning: A small nocturnal mammal with spines on its back.
• Example: “The hedgehog curled up into a ball when it felt threatened.”

Heliotrope

• Meaning: A plant with fragrant purple or blue flowers; also, a color.
• Example: “The garden was filled with the sweet scent of heliotrope.”

Hurdler

• Meaning: An athlete who competes in hurdling events.
• Example: “The hurdler cleared each obstacle with ease.”

Hugging

• Meaning: Holding someone tightly in one’s arms to express affection.
• Example: “She was hugging her friend tightly after not seeing her for years.”

Hairpin

• Meaning: A slender pin for fastening the hair.
• Example: “She secured her hair with a decorative hairpin.”

Helipad

• Meaning: A landing area for helicopters.
• Example: “The building had a helipad on the roof.”

Hollowed

• Meaning: Made hollow or empty.
• Example: “The tree trunk was hollowed out by years of decay.”

Hummock

• Meaning: A small hill or mound.
• Example: “They climbed to the top of the hummock for a better view.”

Honesty

• Meaning: The quality of being truthful and transparent.
• Example: “Her honesty was appreciated by everyone.”

Hitching

• Meaning: To attach or connect something, or to get a free ride.
• Example: “They were hitching their trailer to the truck.”

Heath

• Meaning: An area of open, uncultivated land with low shrubs.
• Example: “The heath was covered in purple heather.”

Haptic

• Meaning: Related to the sense of touch.
• Example: “The haptic feedback on the device made it feel more realistic.”

Hegemony

• Meaning: Leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others.
• Example: “The country’s hegemony over its neighbors was established through trade agreements.”

Hoodie

• Meaning: A sweatshirt with a hood.
• Example: “He wore a hoodie to stay warm on the chilly evening.”

Hilarity

• Meaning: Extreme amusement or laughter.
• Example: “The comedian’s jokes caused great hilarity in the audience.”

Hostage

• Meaning: A person seized or held as security for the fulfillment of a condition.
• Example: “The hostages were released after the ransom was paid.”

Hustling

• Meaning: Engaging in busy or hurried activity; also, to forcefully obtain or push something.
• Example: “He was hustling to finish his work before the deadline.”

Hoarse

• Meaning: Having a rough or harsh voice.
• Example: “She spoke in a hoarse voice after cheering all day.”

Hydration

• Meaning: The process of providing or obtaining water.
• Example: “Proper hydration is crucial during intense exercise.”

Howitzer

• Meaning: A type of artillery piece.
• Example: “The military used a howitzer for long-range bombardment.”

Harmonize

• Meaning: To bring into harmony or agreement.
• Example: “The singers harmonized beautifully on the chorus.”

Hypnotize

• Meaning: To induce a trance-like state in someone.
• Example: “The magician was able to hypnotize his volunteers.”

Heifer

• Meaning: A young female cow that has not yet had a calf.
• Example: “The farmer purchased a heifer to add to his herd.”

Husband

• Meaning: A married man; to manage or use something wisely.
• Example: “He is a loving husband and a responsible steward of resources.”

Hysterics

• Meaning: Extreme emotional excitement or panic.
• Example: “She was in hysterics after hearing the shocking news.”

Hieroglyph

• Meaning: A character used in writing systems that involve pictorial symbols.
• Example: “Ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphs to write their language.”

Headlong

• Meaning: In a reckless or hurried manner; also, falling headfirst.
• Example: “He dived headlong into the pool.”

Hummingbird

• Meaning: A small bird known for its ability to hover and rapid wing beats.
• Example: “The hummingbird flitted from flower to flower.”

Hazardous

• Meaning: Dangerous or risky.
• Example: “The hazardous conditions required special safety measures.”

Harmonious

• Meaning: Forming a pleasing or consistent whole.
• Example: “The colors in the room were harmonious and soothing.”

Highland

• Meaning: A mountainous or elevated region.
• Example: “They enjoyed hiking in the highland region.”

Hulking

• Meaning: Large and heavy; cumbersome.
• Example: “The hulking machine took up most of the workshop space.”

Hotbed

• Meaning: A place or situation promoting the growth of something.
• Example: “The city was a hotbed of political activity.”

Homely

• Meaning: Simple but cozy; unattractive in appearance.
• Example: “The homely cottage was very welcoming.”

Heralded

• Meaning: Announced or proclaimed, often with enthusiasm.
• Example: “The new product was heralded as a breakthrough in technology.”

Hobbling

• Meaning: Walking with difficulty, typically due to injury.
• Example: “After the accident, he was hobbling on crutches.”

Heartfelt

• Meaning: Deeply or sincerely felt.
• Example: “Her heartfelt thanks were expressed in a touching letter.”

Hindrance

• Meaning: An obstacle or impediment.
• Example: “The construction work was a hindrance to traffic flow.”

Hymnals

• Meaning: Books containing hymns.
• Example: “The choir used hymnals during the church service.”

Hierarchy

• Meaning: A system of ranking or organizing people or things.
• Example: “The company’s hierarchy was clearly defined with various management levels.”

Headcount

• Meaning: The number of people present.
• Example: “The manager did a headcount before the meeting started.”

Hypothesis

• Meaning: A proposed explanation for a phenomenon, to be tested.
• Example: “The scientist formulated a hypothesis about the cause of the disease.”

Harness

• Meaning: A set of straps used to control or guide an animal; also, to make use of something.
• Example: “They used a harness to control the horse; they sought to harness solar energy.”

Helium

• Meaning: A chemical element with the symbol He, used in balloons and for cooling purposes.
• Example: “The party balloons were filled with helium.”

Hemlock

• Meaning: A poisonous plant; also, a type of tree.
• Example: “The ancient Greeks used hemlock as a poison.”

Intermediate Words That Start With H