Boar vs. Hog — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 27, 2023
A boar is a male wild pig or swine, while a hog refers to domesticated pigs or swine, regardless of gender.
Difference Between Boar and Hog
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A boar specifically denotes a male pig, especially in its wild form. On the other hand, the term hog is a broader term, often used in the United States to refer to domesticated pigs or swine, irrespective of their gender.
While boars can be characterized by their tusks and wild nature, hogs are typically associated with livestock and farming practices, known for their role in the production of pork.
One might encounter a boar while in the wilderness or dense forests, as they are wild animals. A hog, meanwhile, is more commonly found in agricultural settings such as farms and pigsties.
In hunting contexts, a boar is often sought after for its challenge and tusks. Whereas hogs, especially in regions where they're considered pests, might be hunted to control their population or for meat.
Linguistically, "wild boar" is a term you'd likely encounter when referring to the wild ancestors of domesticated pigs. However, hog has become a colloquial term, especially in America, for any pig, regardless of its wild or domestic status.
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Comparison Chart
Gender Specificity
Male
Gender-neutral
Domestication
Typically wild
Typically domesticated
Appearance
Has tusks
Might not have prominent tusks
Usage in Context
Often in hunting or wilderness contexts
Often in farming or livestock contexts
Association
Wild, challenging to hunt
Domestic, raised for meat
Compare with Definitions
Boar
An undomesticated pig.
A group of boars rummaged through the underbrush searching for food.
Hog
A term for swine in the U.S.
The hog market has been fluctuating this year.
Boar
A tusked swine.
The boar's tusks can be quite sharp and dangerous.
Hog
A pig raised for meat.
The hog was ready for slaughter at six months.
Boar
A male wild pig.
The hunter pursued the boar through the dense forest.
Hog
Large, fully-grown pig.
That's the biggest hog I've ever seen!
Boar
A male swine.
The boar was separated from the sows in the pen.
Hog
A term for any pig, irrespective of its status.
Whether wild or domestic, he referred to them all as hogs.
Boar
Wild ancestor of domestic pigs.
Wild boars have been known to be aggressive when threatened.
Hog
A domesticated pig, especially a castrated male reared for slaughter.
Boar
A tusked Eurasian wild pig from which domestic pigs are descended, exterminated in Britain in the 17th century.
Hog
A large motorcycle, in particular a Harley Davidson.
Boar
An uncastrated domestic male pig.
Hog
A young sheep before the first shearing.
Boar
The wild boar.
Hog
Take or use most or all of (something) in an unfair or selfish way
He never hogged the limelight
Boar
An uncastrated male pig.
Hog
Cause (a ship or its keel) to curve up in the centre and sag at the ends as a result of strain.
Boar
The adult male of any of several mammals, such as a badger, raccoon, or guinea pig.
Hog
Any of various mammals of the family Suidae, which includes the domesticated pig as well as wild species, such as the wild boar and the warthog.
Boar
A wild boar (Sus scrofa), the wild ancestor of the domesticated pig.
Hog
A domesticated pig weighing over 54 kilograms (120 pounds).
Boar
A male pig.
Hog
A self-indulgent, gluttonous, or filthy person.
Boar
A male boar (sense 1).
Hog
One that uses too much of something.
Boar
A male bear.
Hog
Chiefly British A young sheep before it has been shorn.
Boar
A male guinea pig.
Hog
The wool from this type of sheep.
Boar
The uncastrated male of swine; specifically, the wild hog.
Hog
(Slang) A big, heavy motorcycle.
Boar
Old World wild swine having a narrow body and prominent tusks from which most domestic swine come; introduced in United States
Hog
(Informal) To take more than one's share of
Don't hog the couch.
Boar
An uncastrated male hog
Hog
To cause (the back) to arch like that of a hog.
Hog
To cut (a horse's mane) short and bristly.
Hog
To shred (waste wood, for example) by machine.
Hog
(Nautical) To arch upward in the middle. Used of a ship's keel.
Hog
Any animal belonging to the Suidae family of mammals, especially the pig, the warthog, and the boar.
Hog
(specifically) An adult swine contrasted with a pig, a young swine.
Hog
(slang) A greedy person or thing; one who refuses to share.
Since the latest upgrade, this program has turned into a CPU hog.
Hog
(slang) A large motorcycle, particularly a Harley-Davidson.
Hog
(UK) A young sheep that has not been shorn.
Hog
(nautical) A rough, flat scrubbing broom for scrubbing a ship's bottom under water.
Hog
A device for mixing and stirring the pulp from which paper is made.
Hog
A shilling coin; its value, 12 old pence.
Hog
A tanner, a sixpence coin; its value.
Hog
A half-crown coin; its value, 30 old pence.
Hog
(nautical) the effect of the middle of the hull of a ship rising while the ends droop
Hog
(transitive) To greedily take more than one's share, to take precedence at the expense of another or others.
Hey! Quit hogging all the blankets.
Hog
(transitive) To clip the mane of a horse, making it short and bristly.
Hog
(nautical) To scrub with a hog, or scrubbing broom.
Hog
To cause the keel of a ship to arch upwards (the opposite of sag).
Hog
A quadruped of the genus Sus, and allied genera of Suidæ; esp., the domesticated varieties of Sus scrofa, kept for their fat and meat, called, respectively, lard and pork; swine; porker; specifically, a castrated boar; a barrow.
Hog
A mean, filthy, or gluttonous fellow.
Hog
A young sheep that has not been shorn.
Hog
A rough, flat scrubbing broom for scrubbing a ship's bottom under water.
Hog
A device for mixing and stirring the pulp of which paper is made.
Hog
To cut short like bristles; as, to hog the mane of a horse.
Hog
To scrub with a hog, or scrubbing broom.
Hog
To become bent upward in the middle, like a hog's back; - said of a ship broken or strained so as to have this form.
Hog
A person regarded as greedy and pig-like
Hog
A sheep up to the age of one year; one yet to be sheared
Hog
Domestic swine
Hog
Take greedily; take more than one's share
Hog
A domesticated pig or swine.
The farmer has a dozen hogs in his barn.
Common Curiosities
Are hogs always domesticated?
Mostly, but the term can be colloquially used for wild pigs in some regions.
Do boars have tusks?
Yes, boars typically have tusks.
What is a boar?
A boar is a male wild pig or swine.
Which is larger, a boar or a hog?
It varies, but domesticated hogs can often be larger due to controlled feeding.
Can you find boars in the U.S.?
Yes, wild boars can be found in various parts of the U.S.
Can a boar be domesticated?
While boars are typically wild, they can be domesticated under certain circumstances.
What does hog refer to?
A hog refers to a domesticated pig or swine, regardless of gender.
Are hogs and pigs the same?
Yes, the term "hog" is often used interchangeably with "pig," especially in the U.S.
Are boars aggressive?
Wild boars can be aggressive, especially if threatened.
Can hogs be found in the wild?
While hogs typically refer to domesticated pigs, in some areas, feral hogs.
What is the primary use of hogs in farming?
Hogs are primarily raised for meat.
Is "wild boar" redundant?
Somewhat, but the term "wild boar" emphasizes its undomesticated nature.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
