noun
Uncommon
sire
seye-uh
Sire (noun) means the male parent of an animal, especially in breeding contexts. Example: “The foal's sire was a champion racehorse.”
noun
1
The male parent of an animal, especially in breeding contexts.
"The foal's sire was a champion racehorse."
2
A formal or old-fashioned way of addressing a king or other male sovereign.
"The knight bowed and said, "As you wish, sire.""
verb
1
To father offspring, especially said of male animals.
"The stallion has sired several award-winning colts."
How to use sire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe male parent of an animal, or a formal way to address a king.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sire a foal
yes, sire
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Word forms
- Plural
- sires
- Third person singular
- sires
- Past tense
- sired
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The foal's _____ was a champion racehorse.
Etymology
From Old French sire, from Latin senior ("older"). A doublet of "sir" and "senior."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for sire
See all rhymes for 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.
