horse laugh: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low Frequency / Literary / FigurativeInformal, often literary or journalistic. Can be derogatory.
Quick answer
What does “horse laugh” mean?
A loud, coarse, and often scornful or mocking laugh, resembling a horse's neigh.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A loud, coarse, and often scornful or mocking laugh, resembling a horse's neigh.
A derisive, raucous, and unsubtle expression of contempt or ridicule.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in historical American usage (e.g., in Mark Twain) but understood and occasionally used in both varieties. No significant difference in form or meaning.
Connotations
Strongly negative in both. Connotes a lack of sophistication, cruelty, or open derision.
Frequency
Rare in contemporary spoken language in both varieties. More likely found in written descriptions, historical fiction, or stylistic prose.
Grammar
How to Use “horse laugh” in a Sentence
[Subject] gave/let out a horse laugh.His proposal was met with a horse laugh.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “horse laugh” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- 'Horse-laugh' is rarely used as a verb. More common: 'He horse-laughed at the suggestion, his face full of scorn.' (archaic/literary)
American English
- 'Horse-laugh' is rarely used as a verb. More common: 'He horse-laughed at the idea, a harsh, braying sound.' (archaic/literary)
adverb
British English
- N/A.
American English
- N/A.
adjective
British English
- N/A. The compound itself is not used adjectivally.
American English
- N/A. The compound itself is not used adjectivally.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Could describe a brutally negative reaction to a proposal: 'The board greeted his plan with a horse laugh.'
Academic
Virtually never used. Too informal and figurative.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used for vivid, figurative description: 'He gave a horse laugh when I told him the price.'
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “horse laugh”
- Using it to describe genuine, happy laughter. Incorrect: 'We shared a horse laugh about the funny movie.'
- Treating it as a verb. Incorrect: 'He horse laughed at me.' (Correct: 'He gave a horse laugh.')
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It almost always conveys mockery, scorn, ridicule, or boorish lack of restraint. It is not associated with genuine joy or amusement.
It is not recommended for most formal writing (academic, legal, official reports) due to its informal, figurative, and often derogatory nature. It's more suited to creative writing or informal descriptions.
A 'guffaw' is a loud, hearty laugh, which can be good-natured or rude. A 'horse laugh' is specifically harsh, mocking, and derisive, with stronger negative connotations of scorn.
No, it is quite rare in contemporary everyday speech. It is considered somewhat dated or literary. Most modern speakers would use 'guffaw', 'scornful laugh', or simply 'mocking laughter'.
A loud, coarse, and often scornful or mocking laugh, resembling a horse's neigh.
Horse laugh: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɔːs ˌlɑːf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɔːrs ˌlæf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly. It is itself an idiomatic noun phrase.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a rude, neighing HORSE LAUGH-ing at a joke. The sound is loud, harsh, and mocking.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MOCKING SOUND IS AN ANIMAL NOISE / A PERSON IS AN ANIMAL (in terms of crude behaviour).
Practice
Quiz
In which situation would a 'horse laugh' be MOST appropriate to describe?