skewbald: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Specialized, Equestrian
Quick answer
What does “skewbald” mean?
An adjective describing an animal, particularly a horse, with irregular patches of white and another color (but not black).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An adjective describing an animal, particularly a horse, with irregular patches of white and another color (but not black).
A noun referring to a horse or other animal with such coloring. Can be used rarely in other domains to describe a pattern of two distinct, irregularly mixed colors.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally understood in horse-riding communities in both regions, but overall familiarity is higher in the UK due to greater prevalence of equestrian terminology in general culture. There is no difference in definition.
Connotations
Carries connotations of the equestrian world, country life, and traditional animal husbandry. In non-specialist use, it might be perceived as somewhat archaic or quaint.
Frequency
Low frequency in general language. Most commonly encountered in literature, historical texts, or specific equestrian contexts. Slightly more frequent in UK English due to cultural ties to horse breeding and fox hunting.
Grammar
How to Use “skewbald” in a Sentence
[be] skewbald[a/the] skewbald [noun]noun [is/are] skewbaldVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skewbald” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This term is not used as a verb.
American English
- This term is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- This term is not used as an adverb.
American English
- This term is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The child was delighted with the gentle, skewbald pony at the county show.
- Her favourite was a skewbald mare with one blue eye.
American English
- He bought a skewbald gelding for trail riding out in Montana.
- The ranch had several pinto horses, including a beautiful skewbald.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used only in specific historical, agricultural, or zoological contexts.
Everyday
Very rare, except among those involved with horses.
Technical
Standard term in equine husbandry, breeding, and showing.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skewbald”
- Using it for black-and-white animals (that's 'piebald').
- Using it as a general synonym for 'spotted' or 'dappled'.
- Misspelling as 'skewbold' or 'skubald'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Piebald' specifically refers to an animal, especially a horse, with irregular patches of black and white. 'Skewbald' refers to patches of white and any other colour except black (e.g., brown, bay, chestnut).
While its primary and most precise use is for horses, it can occasionally be applied to other domesticated animals like cows or goats with similar two-colour patchwork patterns. It is not used for cats or dogs.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialized term. Most people will only encounter it in literature, historical settings, or within equestrian communities.
It dates to the mid-17th century. The 'skew-' part is of unknown origin, possibly from Old French 'escu' (shield) or meaning 'skewed'. '-bald' (from Middle English 'balled') meant 'having a white patch'.
An adjective describing an animal, particularly a horse, with irregular patches of white and another color (but not black).
Skewbald is usually specialized, equestrian in register.
Skewbald: in British English it is pronounced /ˈskjuːbɔːld/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈskjuːbɑːld/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As rare as a sober jockey (not a direct idiom with 'skewbald', but illustrative of the register)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'SKEW' (off-centre, irregular) + 'BALD' (historically meaning 'having a white patch'). An irregularly patched horse.
Conceptual Metaphor
IRREGULARITY IS PATCHWORK / DIVERSITY IS A MIXTURE OF COLOURS.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these best describes a 'skewbald' animal?