What does barked mean?
'Barked' is the past tense and past participle of the verb 'bark', most familiarly describing the sharp, loud cry made by dogs — and sometimes by foxes, seals, or other animals. It also has an established figurative use for people: to say someone 'barked an order' or 'barked a laugh' is to describe speech or laughter delivered in a short, harsh, forceful burst, as if borrowing the dog's abruptness. This dual use makes the word vivid and expressive in both literal and figurative contexts, though applying it to human speech lends the tone a connotation of severity, irritation, or command. The underlying verb traces back to Old English, where it meant the crying of dogs, while the related noun 'bark' — the protective outer covering of a tree — entered English separately from Old Norse. Whether describing a watchdog sounding the alarm or a sergeant drilling recruits, 'barked' instantly conveys urgency and rough-edged intensity.
verbPast tense and past participle of the verb 'bark': to have made the sharp, abrupt cry characteristic of a dog, or (of a person) to have uttered a command or laugh in a short, harsh, forceful manner.
- (Of a dog or other animal) made a sharp, loud vocalization — the past tense of the animal cry 'bark'.
- (Of a person) said something in a short, harsh, abrupt way, as when barking orders or commands.
- (Figuratively) gave a sudden, sharp laugh resembling a bark.
"The terrier barked furiously at the mail carrier until he reached the gate."
"The sergeant barked orders at the new recruits until they fell into line."
"Our neighbour's hound barked all night at every passing car."
When your boss 'barked' an order at you, you were literally being spoken to the way a dog speaks — the word for a dog's cry became shorthand for any harsh, commanding voice.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of barked
The verb behind 'barked' descends from the Old English verb 'beorcan', which specifically denoted the crying or yelping of dogs, and it has been part of the language's core vocabulary since before the Norman Conquest. Its modern form reflects regular Middle English and Early Modern English development of that verb. Separately, the noun 'bark' meaning tree bark came into Middle English from Old Norse 'bǫrkr', making the noun and verb distinct in origin despite sharing a form; 'birch' is a distant Germanic relative of the tree-bark noun.
Related word forms
How barked is actually used
As a verb form, 'barked' carries a connotation of harshness or authority when applied to human speech, so it suits forceful, informal, or vivid narration more than polite formal writing. Applied to animals it is entirely neutral.
Easily confused with barked
'Balked' means hindered or thwarted in an attempt, whereas 'barked' describes the harsh cry of a dog or the clipped utterance of a person.