horse
haws
Horse (noun) means a large hoofed mammal with a mane and tail, long domesticated for riding, pulling loads, and farm work. Example: “The farmer brushed his horse every morning before feeding it.”
noun
1
A large hoofed mammal with a mane and tail, long domesticated for riding, pulling loads, and farm work.
"The farmer brushed his horse every morning before feeding it."
"She rode her horse along the beach at sunrise."
"Farmers once relied on horses to pull the plough."
2
A padded piece of gymnastics equipment, or a simple frame with legs, used for support or exercise.
"Gymnasts use a vaulting horse to practise jumping with their hands."
"The carpenter rested the plank across two wooden horses while he sawed it."
"He performed a difficult routine on the pommel horse."
verb
1
To fool around or engage in rough, playful behavior (usually as "horse around").
"The children were horsing around in the garden and knocked over a pot."
"Don't horse about near the pool, or someone will slip."
"Stop horsing around and finish your homework."
How to use horse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe animal people ride and once used for pulling carts and ploughs; also used loosely for horse-shaped equipment or in the phrase "horse around" (to mess about).
Common mistake
As slang, "horse" can also mean heroin — context makes the meaning clear, but it's worth knowing the drug slang exists.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
ride a horse
horse around
a horse and cart
wild horses
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Word forms
- Plural
- horses
- Third person singular
- horses
- Past tense
- horsed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The farmer brushed his _____ every morning before feeding it.
Etymology
From Old English hors, going back through Germanic roots to a very old Indo-European word meaning "to run" — making "horse" a distant relative of "car" and "chariot."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for horse
See all rhymes for horse →Frequently asked questions
What does “horse” mean?
The word “horse” means a large hoofed mammal with a mane and tail, long domesticated for riding, pulling loads, and farm work. In plain terms, the animal people ride and once used for pulling carts and ploughs; also used loosely for horse-shaped equipment or in the phrase "horse around" (to mess about).
How do you pronounce “horse”?
“Horse” is pronounced haws (/hoɹs/ in IPA).
How do you use “horse” in a sentence?
Here is “horse” used in a sentence: “She rode her horse along the beach at sunrise.”
What is another word for “horse”?
Words with a similar meaning to “horse” include widge, cheval, horsy, nag, prad and horseflesh.
What part of speech is “horse”?
Depending on how it is used, “horse” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “horse” come from?
The word “horse” comes from Old English. From Old English hors, going back through Germanic roots to a very old Indo-European word meaning "to run" — making "horse" a distant relative of "car" and "chariot.".
Is “horse” a common word?
“Horse” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “horse” have?
“Horse” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large hoofed mammal with a mane and tail, long domesticated for riding, pulling loads, and farm work.
What is the difference between a horse and a pony?
A pony is simply a small type of horse, usually standing under 14.2 hands (about 147 cm) at the shoulder. Beyond height, ponies tend to be stockier, with thicker manes, tails, and coats, and are often hardy and strong for their size. A horse is the larger, taller animal.
What is a baby horse called?
A baby horse is called a foal. A young male is a colt and a young female a filly, usually until around four years old. A foal that is still nursing is a suckling, and one that has been weaned is a weanling. The mother is called a mare.
What do you call a male and a female horse?
An adult female horse is a mare, and an adult male is a stallion. A male that has been castrated is called a gelding, and a stallion kept for breeding is often called a stud. Younger horses are colts (male) and fillies (female) before they reach maturity.
How long do horses live?
Most horses live around 25 to 30 years, though many stay healthy and active well into their twenties with good care. Smaller ponies often live longer, sometimes past 40. Lifespan depends on breed, diet, workload, and veterinary attention. A horse is usually considered a senior from about fifteen or twenty.
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