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to whinny

to whinny

1 5.6
To make a soft, high sound that horses make
  • verb
  • /ˈhwɪni/
translation icon : relinchar
  • Marsh turns back toward the pens where Rufus is trotting back and forth by the dividing fence, shaking his head and whinnying for Maxim.
  • horses whinny
  • hear whinnying

Examples

  • The horse reared, whinnying in fright.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Outside, the horse whinnies loudly and rears up on its hind legs.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The horses whinny wildly as they catch the scent of the wolves.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • The horses whinny.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Panicked, the horse rears, whinnying wildly.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Rufus, Maxim's buddy in the next pen, is trotting back and forth, whinnying.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Their horses too refused to go any farther, shying and whinnying at the fearful stench.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Drak stops; he listens to the horses whinnying and stomping their hooves.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • As I approached the stable, I heard the horse whinny softly in anticipation.

  • The mare started to whinny when she saw her owner coming with a bucket of feed.

Synonyms

to neigh
vsto whinny
3 3.7

To make the loud, high sound horses make

is gentler and more delicate in pitch rather than neutral
to nicker
vsto whinny
1 9.9

To make a soft low sound as a horse does when greeting or expecting food

is higher pitched and sharper rather than being only soft
to whicker
vsto whinny
1 9.2

To make a soft neigh to greet another horse or person

is higher pitched and clearer rather than only soft

How High-Pitched

to whinny
1 5.6
to neigh
3 3.7
to nicker
1 9.9
to snort
52 3.7

Surface Forms

whinny infinitive
whinnied past
whinnied past participle
whinnying present participle
whinnies third person singular

Etymology

Whinny as a verb comes from the same imitation of a horse's sound, like the familiar word neigh and the sound 'gentle neigh'. So to whinny is to make that soft, high horse call.