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adverb Uncommon

horseback

HAWS-bak

Horseback (adverb) means riding on the back of a horse. Example: “They travelled horseback through the mountains.”

adverb
1
Riding on the back of a horse.
"They travelled horseback through the mountains."
"She learned to shoot a bow while riding horseback."
noun
1
The back of a horse, especially as a place to sit.
"He climbed onto horseback and rode off at dawn."

How to use horseback

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishOn or from a horse's back — used for riding.

Common pairings
on horseback horseback riding

Word forms

horsebacks plural

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They travelled _____ through the mountains.

Etymology

A straightforward compound of horse and back, first recorded in Middle English.

Origin: Middle English

Related words

Rhymes for horseback

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Frequently asked questions

What does “horseback” mean?

The word “horseback” means riding on the back of a horse. In plain terms, on or from a horse's back — used for riding.

How do you pronounce “horseback”?

“Horseback” is pronounced HAWS-bak (/ˈhɔɹsˌbæk/ in IPA).

How do you use “horseback” in a sentence?

Here is “horseback” used in a sentence: “They travelled horseback through the mountains.”

What part of speech is “horseback”?

Depending on how it is used, “horseback” can be an adverb and a noun.

Where does the word “horseback” come from?

The word “horseback” comes from Middle English. A straightforward compound of horse and back, first recorded in Middle English.

Is “horseback” a common word?

“Horseback” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “horseback” have?

“Horseback” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: riding on the back of a horse.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial