Use hurdle for a physical barrier that can be jumped, moved, or set up as a light fence, with racing as the most common modern context.
Use hurdle for a physical barrier that can be jumped, moved, or set up as a light fence, with racing as the most common modern context.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The hurdles was too high for the runners. | The hurdles were too high for the runners. |
| He ran over the hurdle without leaving the ground. | He jumped over the hurdle. |
| Every fence on the farm is a hurdle. | A hurdle is a light movable fence or frame. |
| The race used one hurdle only, so it was the hurdles. | The race used several hurdles. |
Use hurdle when a problem feels like something to get past on the way to a goal, especially in phrases such as clear a hurdle or overcome a hurdle.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The biggest hurdle was standing in the hallway. | The biggest obstacle was standing in the hallway. |
| We solved the hurdle with a new budget. | We overcame the hurdle with a new budget. |
| The deadline was a hurdle rate for the team. | The deadline was a hurdle for the team. |
| There were many hurdle to approval. | There were many hurdles to approval. |
Use hurdle as a transitive verb for jumping over something in one quick movement, with over optional but not always needed.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| She hurdle the low fence yesterday. | She hurdled the low fence yesterday. |
| He hurdled over over the barrier. | He hurdled over the barrier. |
| The athlete hurdled the race. | The athlete hurdled the barriers in the race. |
| They were hurdleing logs in practice. | They were hurdling logs in practice. |
Use hurdle figuratively when the image of clearing an obstacle is useful, though overcome or surmount is often more natural in formal prose.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| We hurdled the meeting yesterday. | We got through the meeting yesterday. |
| The company hurdled the regulatory hurdle hurdle. | The company cleared the regulatory hurdle. |
| She hurdled happiness after graduation. | She found happiness after graduation. |
| They hurdle the issue last year. | They hurdled the issue last year. |
Use hurdle for physical barriers in racing or fencing, and for problems that must be cleared before progress can continue.
The hurdles was uses the wrong agreement, and the verb is often overused where clear, overcome, or get past would sound more natural.
From Old English hyrdel, a frame of intertwined twigs used as a temporary barrier, related to hyrd meaning door.
What does hurdle mean as a noun?
Hurdle can mean a light barrier or frame, especially one jumped over in a race.
How is hurdle used figuratively?
A hurdle is a difficulty that must be cleared before progress can continue.
What does hurdle mean as a verb?
To hurdle is to jump over a barrier, or figuratively to overcome a problem.
Is hurdles a race?
Yes. The hurdles is a race in which runners jump over a series of hurdles.
What is a hurdle rate?
A hurdle rate is a minimum required return before an investment or project is acceptable.
What is the past tense of hurdle?
The past tense is hurdled, and the present participle is hurdling.
Where does hurdle come from?
Hurdle comes from Old English hyrdel, a woven frame used as a temporary barrier.