neigh

B2 Topic:Animals
US /neɪ/ UK /neɪ/
verb noun Freq #33679

Meanings

  1. 1
    verb

    of a horse, to make its characteristic high, prolonged cry

    The mare began to neigh when she heard another horse beyond the gate.

  2. 2
    noun

    the characteristic cry of a horse

    A loud neigh came from the darkened stable.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 verb · of a horse, to make its... whinnynickerwhicker
2 noun · the characteristic cry of a... whinnynicker
Word family
Forms neighing
Derived forms neigher
Related forms horsewhinny

Etymology

From Middle English neyen and Old English hnaegan, from a Proto-Germanic verb meaning "to neigh." Cognates occur in several Germanic languages, including Swedish gnagga and Icelandic hneggja; the word probably imitates a horse's cry.

Topics

markdown

Send feedback

Optional — only if you'd like a reply.