Horse

/hɔːrs/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonAnimal
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A large, four-legged mammal of the family Equidae, domesticated and used for riding, racing, and pulling heavy loads.

/hɔːrs/

nounneutralBeginner
Animal

A large, four-legged mammal used for riding and pulling loads.

The majestic horse galloped across the field.

💡 Simply: Imagine a big animal with four legs that people ride on, like a really cool, living car. That's a horse! You might see them pulling carts, racing, or just grazing in a field.

👶 For kids: A horse is a big animal with four legs that people sometimes ride on!

More Examples

2

The stable housed several horses ready for the race.

3

She learned to ride a horse during her summer vacation.

How It's Used

General

"The child loved to ride the horse at the petting zoo."

Agriculture

"Farmers used horses to plow the fields before tractors became common."

Sports

"The race involved several horses competing for the first place."

2

To provide with a horse or horses; to mount on a horse.

/hɔːrs/

verbneutralmedium
Action

To provide with a horse or horses.

The cavalry was horsed and prepared for combat.

💡 Simply: If you 'horse' someone, you're either giving them a horse to ride or helping them get on a horse. It's like saying, 'Let me *horse* you up on this amazing creature!'

👶 For kids: To help someone get on a horse!

More Examples

2

He horsed the knight before the joust.

How It's Used

Historical

"The army horsed its soldiers before the battle."

Rare/Archaic

"The knights horsed themselves at the gate."

Tip:Think of *horsing* someone up with a ride.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Idioms & expressions

dark horse

An unexpected winner or contender.

"The candidate was considered a dark horse, but he won the election."

straight from the horse's mouth

From the most reliable source; directly from the person involved.

"I got the information straight from the horse's mouth, so I know it's true."

From Old English *hors*, from Proto-Germanic *hursaz* (compare German *Ross*, Dutch *paard*), of uncertain origin. Possibly related to Proto-Indo-European *kers-* meaning 'to run, be swift'.

Horses have been used for transportation, agriculture, and warfare since ancient times. They were vital to many historical empires.

Memory tip

Think of a *hoarse* voice - it might be caused by shouting while riding a *horse*!

Word Origin

LanguageProto-Germanic
Original meaning

"to run, swift"

race horsewild horsehorse ridinghorse powerwork horse

Common misspellings

hoarsehors

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written