Pronunciation: [hˈuːfs] (IPA) 
The word "hoofs" is the plural form of "hoof", which is the hard, horny part of the foot of an animal such as a horse or a cow. The spelling of this word can be explained through its IPA phonetic transcription, which is /huːfs/. The "oo" sound in "hoofs" is spelled with two Os and pronounced as a long "u" sound. The "f" at the end of the word is typically used instead of "ves" to form the plural form of words ending with "f" or "fe".
Hoofs, also spelled as hooves in its plural form, are the hard, keratinous coverings that protect the feet of certain mammals, typically ungulates such as horses, cows, deer, and sheep. They bear the weight of the animal and enable it to walk, run, and graze. Hoofs are a distinguishing feature of hoofed mammals and play a vital role in their mobility and survival in various habitats.
Hoofs consist of three main parts: the outer wall, the sole, and the frog. The outer wall is the hard, outer layer of the hoof that provides protection and resistance to wear. It is composed of keratin, a tough protein substance. The sole is the concave area on the underside of the hoof, and it acts as a shock absorber. The frog is the V-shaped, fleshy structure located in the center of the sole, which aids in traction and prevents slipping.
Hoofs require regular maintenance to ensure their health and proper function. Trimming and shoeing are common practices to maintain the balance and integrity of the hoofs. Horses, for instance, often require farriers to trim their hoofs and apply horseshoes to protect them from excessive wear and damage.
Overall, hoofs are essential for the locomotion and survival of hoofed mammals, providing support, protection, and grip on various terrains.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "hoofs" is derived from the Old English word "hof", which means "hoof" or "cloven hoof". This Old English term can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "hofaz". The plural form "hoofs" emerged in Middle English, replacing the earlier plural "hooves" or "hoves". The singular form "hoof" remains unchanged throughout the history of English.
