sire
8 synonyms for sire, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The male parent of an animal, especially in breeding contexts.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The male parent of an animal, especially in breeding contexts.
“The foal's sire was a champion racehorse.”
How to use sire
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sire a foal
yes, sire
Etymology
From Old French sire, from Latin senior ("older"). A doublet of "sir" and "senior."
Full origin of sire →Frequently asked questions
What does “sire” mean?
The word “sire” means the male parent of an animal, especially in breeding contexts. In plain terms, the male parent of an animal, or a formal way to address a king.
How do you pronounce “sire”?
“Sire” is pronounced seye-uh (/saɪə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “sire” in a sentence?
Here is “sire” used in a sentence: “The foal's sire was a champion racehorse.”
What part of speech is “sire”?
Depending on how it is used, “sire” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “sire” come from?
The word “sire” comes from Latin. From Old French sire, from Latin senior ("older"). A doublet of "sir" and "senior.".
Is “sire” a common word?
“Sire” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sire” have?
“Sire” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the male parent of an animal, especially in breeding contexts.
