horselaugh: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency)Literary or archaic; sometimes used for deliberate, vivid effect.
Quick answer
What does “horselaugh” mean?
A loud, coarse, and boisterous laugh.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A loud, coarse, and boisterous laugh; a guffaw.
A laugh that is metaphorically loud, hearty, and somewhat rude or unrestrained, often connoting mockery, derision, or a lack of refinement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition or usage patterns. The word is equally rare and stylistically marked in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of raucousness and mockery.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, found primarily in literary contexts or as a conscious stylistic choice.
Grammar
How to Use “horselaugh” in a Sentence
[Subject] gave/let out/emitted a horselaugh.A horselaugh erupted from [group/individual].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “horselaugh” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A. 'Horselaugh' is not standardly used as a verb.
American English
- N/A. 'Horselaugh' is not standardly used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A. 'Horselaughingly' is not an established adverb.
American English
- N/A. 'Horselaughingly' is not an established adverb.
adjective
British English
- N/A. 'Horse-laughing' is not an established adjective.
American English
- N/A. 'Horse-laughing' is not an established adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Would be highly inappropriate and marked.
Academic
Rare. Might appear in literary criticism or historical texts describing character.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Using it would sound deliberately old-fashioned or like you are quoting a book.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “horselaugh”
- Using it as a verb (*'He horselaughed at the joke'). It is strictly a noun.
- Using it in a neutral or positive context. It is almost always negative.
- Overusing it due to its rarity; it is a 'special effect' word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, literary word. Most native speakers would understand it from context but are unlikely to use it in everyday speech.
No, it is exclusively a noun. The act is described with phrases like 'give a horselaugh' or 'let out a horselaugh'.
They are close synonyms. 'Horselaugh' is more vivid, metaphorical (evoking a horse's sound), and has stronger connotations of coarseness or mockery. 'Guffaw' is slightly more common but still denotes a loud, hearty laugh.
Almost always. It implies a lack of refinement, control, or sensitivity. It can suggest genuine but vulgar amusement, or more often, scornful derision.
A loud, coarse, and boisterous laugh.
Horselaugh is usually literary or archaic; sometimes used for deliberate, vivid effect. in register.
Horselaugh: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɔːs.lɑːf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɔːrs.læf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to 'horselaugh' itself.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a person laughing so loudly and coarsely that it sounds like a horse NEIGHING – a HORSE-LAUGH.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAUGHTER IS AN ANIMAL NOISE (specifically, a horse's neigh/bray).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the use of the word 'horselaugh' be LEAST appropriate?