What does horsing mean?
Horsing principally means riding a horse or going about on horseback. In this older or literary sense, it is now much less common than the straightforward words “riding” and “horseback riding.” Horsing also occurs in the informal phrase “horsing around,” where it means fooling around, behaving playfully, or engaging in boisterous and sometimes rough activity. The expression creates a humorous link between the physical actions associated with horses and the unrestrained behavior of people who are merely fooling around. It is especially associated with informal North American English, although it is understood more widely. The word is related to “horse” and its derivatives and is formed as a present participle and gerund of the verb “horse.” Although “horsing” can also be treated as a noun naming the activity of riding, that usage is uncommon in contemporary speech.
To ride a horse or go about on horseback. In the informal phrase “horsing around,” it means to fool around or engage in playful, sometimes rough behavior.
"They spent the day horsing around the countryside."
The standalone riding sense is literary or archaic. “Horsing around” is informal and chiefly associated with North American English.
The activity of riding a horse or going about on horseback.
"The event celebrates horsing and rural tradition."
This noun use is uncommon in contemporary English and is normally treated as an activity rather than a count noun.
Rare count use; the activity is normally treated as uncountable.
"The two horsings were held on separate days."
Horsing carries a playful double meaning: it can mean riding a horse or, in “horsing around,” behaving with the unrestrained energy of one.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does horsing come from?
Horsing derives from “horse,” which comes from Old English hors, the Germanic word for the animal. The verb “horse” developed from the noun in senses involving riding or going about on horseback, and “horsing” is its present participle and gerund. Related forms include “horseback,” “horseshoe,” and “horsepower”; the familiar expression “horsing around” also plays on the association between horses and lively or rough play.
How horsing is actually used
As a standalone term for riding, horsing is literary or archaic and is much less common than “riding” or “riding horseback.” The expression “horsing around” is informal, playful, and chiefly associated with North American usage.
Easily confused with horsing
Horsing refers to riding a horse or fooling around, whereas hoarsing means making a person’s voice rough or hoarse.