clotheshorse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal, somewhat dated
Quick answer
What does “clotheshorse” mean?
A frame or stand for drying or airing clothes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A frame or stand for drying or airing clothes.
A person who is very interested in fashionable clothes and owns many of them.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both meanings are used in both varieties. The literal object is more commonly called a 'clothes airer' or 'drying rack' in UK English.
Connotations
The figurative meaning carries the same mildly derogatory connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
The term is relatively low-frequency in modern everyday speech. The figurative use is more common than the literal in contemporary language.
Grammar
How to Use “clotheshorse” in a Sentence
be a ~consider someone a ~dismiss someone as a ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in lifestyle or retail journalism.
Academic
Not used in formal academic contexts.
Everyday
Used conversationally, often humorously or critically.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clotheshorse”
- Spelling: confusion with 'close horse'. Pronunciation: incorrectly pronouncing the 'th' as in 'cloth' rather than the voiced 'th' in 'clothes' /ðz/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is generally not a compliment. It implies that the person is more concerned with appearance and fashion than with substance or character.
A 'clotheshorse' is seen as a passive consumer of fashion, often valued only for their appearance. A 'fashion icon' actively influences style and is respected for their taste and innovation.
It is understood but has been largely replaced by terms like 'drying rack', 'clothes airer', or 'rack' in everyday speech, especially in British English.
Yes, it can be applied to any gender, though historical usage was more frequently applied to women.
A frame or stand for drying or airing clothes.
Clotheshorse is usually informal, somewhat dated in register.
Clotheshorse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkləʊðzhɔːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkloʊðzhɔːrs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's nothing but a clotheshorse.”
- “She's more than just a pretty clotheshorse.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a horse-shaped rack 'wearing' lots of clothes drying in the sun.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON IS A TOOL (for displaying fashion).
Practice
Quiz
What is the PRIMARY figurative meaning of 'clotheshorse'?