Word: Horse

Pronunciation

/hɔːrs/

Definitions

• Noun: A large, strong, hoofed mammal with a long mane and tail, domesticated since ancient times and used for riding, racing, and carrying loads. For example: “The farmer tacked up his horse and set off across the fields.”
  • As a figure of speech: It can also refer to a frame of wood or metal on which something is mounted or supported, like a sawhorse.
  • Metaphorically: Can be used to describe a person who works tirelessly or with great strength, e.g., “She’s a workhorse in the office.”

Example sentences:

• Noun (animal): “The cavalry charged forward on their horses.”
• Noun (figure of speech): “The carpenter rested his heavy wooden plank on a couple of sawhorses.”
• Metaphorical usage: “John is the workhorse of the team; he never stops until the job is done.”

Phrases

• “Hold your horses”: An idiomatic expression meaning to slow down or wait patiently.
• “Get off one’s high horse”: To stop being arrogant or condescending.
• “Straight from the horse’s mouth”: Information that comes directly from the source or an authoritative person.
• “Dark horse”: A previously unknown person or thing that emerges to prominence unexpectedly.

Synonyms

• Equine
• Steed
• Colt (for a young male horse)
• Mare (for a female horse)
• Stallion (for an uncastrated adult male horse)
• Pony (a smaller breed of horse)

Additional Meanings & Usage

• Verb: In informal British English, ‘to horse’ can mean to mount or get onto a horse, e.g., “Let’s horse and ride out before sunset.”
• Adjective: As part of compound nouns, such as ‘horsepower’, which measures the rate at which work is done, typically by engines or motors.

Example Sentences

• Verb: “The rider swiftly horsed and rode away into the distance.”
• Adjective: “This car has a powerful engine with 300 horsepower.”