noun
Uncommon
colt
kohlt
Colt (noun) means a young male horse. Example: “The colt stumbled around the paddock on its wobbly new legs.”
noun
1
A young male horse.
"The colt stumbled around the paddock on its wobbly new legs."
"The farmer was training the colt to accept a saddle."
"The mare watched proudly as her colt trotted beside her across the field."
2
A young or inexperienced person, especially someone new to a job, sport, or profession.
"As a colt on the team, he still had a lot to learn from the veterans."
How to use colt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA young male horse — or, by extension, anyone young and still learning the ropes.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "Colt," the brand of firearms — that's a proper noun from the manufacturer's name, unrelated in origin.
Common pairings
a young colt
colt and filly
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Word forms
- Plural
- colts
- Third person singular
- colts
- Past tense
- colted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ stumbled around the paddock on its wobbly new legs.
Etymology
From Old English colt, related to Germanic words for something round or plump, possibly linked to the idea of a young animal still filling out its shape.
Related words
Rhymes for colt
See all rhymes for colt →Frequently asked questions
What does “colt” mean?
The word “colt” means a young male horse. In plain terms, a young male horse — or, by extension, anyone young and still learning the ropes.
How do you pronounce “colt”?
“Colt” is pronounced kohlt (/koʊlt/ in IPA).
How do you use “colt” in a sentence?
Here is “colt” used in a sentence: “The colt stumbled around the paddock on its wobbly new legs.”
What part of speech is “colt”?
“Colt” is a noun.
Where does the word “colt” come from?
The word “colt” comes from Old English. From Old English colt, related to Germanic words for something round or plump, possibly linked to the idea of a young animal still filling out its shape.
Is “colt” a common word?
“Colt” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “colt” have?
“Colt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a young male horse.
What is the difference between a colt and a foal?
A colt specifically refers to a young male horse, while 'foal' is the general term for a young horse of either sex. A young female horse is called a filly rather than a colt.
What does 'colt' mean when used figuratively for a person?
Used figuratively, 'colt' describes a young or inexperienced person, especially someone new to a job, sport, or profession. This mirrors the literal sense of a colt as a young, still-developing horse.
At what age does a colt stop being called a colt?
A colt is generally considered a young male horse, and the term is typically used until the horse matures, after which it may be called a stallion if intact or a gelding if neutered. The exact cutoff can vary by context and breed convention.
