whinny: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Literary, descriptive; also standard in equestrian contexts.
Quick answer
What does “whinny” mean?
The characteristic gentle, high-pitched neighing sound made by a horse, typically expressing pleasure or greeting.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The characteristic gentle, high-pitched neighing sound made by a horse, typically expressing pleasure or greeting.
To make such a sound; also used figuratively to describe a human laugh or sound reminiscent of a horse's neigh.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Equally evocative of rural or equestrian settings in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both, primarily found in written narrative.
Grammar
How to Use “whinny” in a Sentence
SUBJ(horse) + whinnySUBJ(horse) + give + DET + whinnyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “whinny” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The mare whinnied softly to her foal.
- We could hear the ponies whinnying in the distant field.
American English
- The stallion whinnied a greeting from the paddock.
- She whinnied with laughter at the old joke.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, except in literary analysis or zoology/ethology texts describing animal behaviour.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual speech unless discussing horses directly.
Technical
Standard term in equestrianism, veterinary science, and animal behaviour studies.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “whinny”
- Misspelling as 'whiny' (which means complaining).
- Using it transitively (e.g., 'The horse whinnied a greeting' is poetic but not standard; 'gave a whinny' is better).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are very similar, both describing horse sounds. 'Whinny' often implies a softer, more gentle or pleased sound, while 'neigh' can be louder and more general.
No, it is specific to horses and related equines like ponies and donkeys. For similar sounds, other words are used (e.g., goats bleat, cows moo).
Figuratively, yes. It can describe a laugh or sound a person makes that is reminiscent of a horse's whinny, often implying a high-pitched, breathy, or undignified quality.
No, it is a low-frequency word. It is standard but primarily used in specific contexts like writing about horses, in equestrian settings, or in descriptive literary passages.
The characteristic gentle, high-pitched neighing sound made by a horse, typically expressing pleasure or greeting.
Whinny is usually literary, descriptive; also standard in equestrian contexts. in register.
Whinny: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwɪni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwɪni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'WHINny' sounds like 'WIN' + 'NY' (New York). Imagine a horse winning a race in New York and whinnying with joy.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND OF PLEASURE IS AN ANIMAL CRY (e.g., 'She whinnied with laughter').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'whinny' most appropriately used?