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 notesIn plain EnglishOn or from a horse's back — used for riding.
Common pairings
on horseback
horseback riding
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Word forms
- Plural
- horsebacks
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Can you complete this real example?
They travelled _____ through the mountains.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of horse and back, first recorded in Middle English.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for horseback
See all rhymes for horseback →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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