chrome horn

8.2

A shiny metal thing on a car or truck that makes a loud sound and looks decorative

noun

: claxon cromado

Many truck owners add a chrome horn to enhance their vehicle's look.

Examples

The classic car's chrome horn gleamed in the afternoon sun.
He pressed the chrome horn to alert the crowd during the parade.
The car has a shiny chrome horn.
I love the sound of my chrome horn.
He pressed the chrome horn to alert the crowd during the parade.
Many truck owners add a chrome horn to enhance their vehicle's look.
The classic car's chrome horn gleamed in the afternoon sun.

Synonyms

horn

vschrome horn

183 1.0

A device that makes a loud sound to warn or signal people

is mainly a shiny decorative metal piece rather than a general signaling device

car horn

vschrome horn

6 1.1

A loud sound a driver makes to warn others or get attention

gives a shiny metal decorative appearance in addition to the device's function

automobile horn

vschrome horn

1 2.1

A device on a car that makes a loud sound to warn people

emphasizes a decorative shiny metal finish in addition to warning function

motor horn

vschrome horn

2.7

A part on a vehicle that makes a loud sound to warn people

adds visible shiny metal decoration alongside the usual warning role

Surface Forms

chrome horn singular

chrome horns plural

Morphology

chrome + horn

The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'chrome' (a shiny metal finish) + 'horn' (a projecting or decorative device), i.e. a horn plated or made in chrome. This material + object compound follows a common noun-noun composition pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Chrome horn comes from the simple image of a metal horn on a car that is covered in shiny chrome, so it stands out and shines in the sun. So, the term now means a shiny metal horn used for both 'appearance' and 'sound'.