What does neigh mean?
A neigh is the strong, ringing call that a horse makes, often when it is excited, alarmed, greeting another horse, or seeking another animal. The same sound is imitated by the verb, which describes a horse making this call: the mare neighed when she saw her rider approaching. A neigh is typically louder and more sustained than a ordinary horse's whinny, although the boundary between the two words can vary with context. The verb can also describe a person making a mocking or derisive sound, though this usage is uncommon and has a dated, literary quality. In everyday language, the word is especially associated with horses and the open countryside. It is heard in descriptions of racing stables, farmyards, cavalry, and children imitating horses. The word's vivid, imitative character makes it effective in prose and poetry, where a neigh can convey excitement, alarm, defiance, or the presence of another horse before it comes into view.
The prolonged, resonant call characteristic of a horse, especially one expressing excitement or alarm; more rarely, a loud derisive sound made by a person.
"A proud neigh rang out as the carriage entered the courtyard."
The mocking human sense is uncommon and has a literary or old-fashioned tone.
To make the characteristic call of a horse; more rarely, to make a loud, derisive or mocking sound.
"The horses neighed impatiently as the carriage was prepared."
The horse sense is intransitive. The derisive use is much less common and is chiefly literary.
The regular plural is used when referring to separate vocalizations.
"The stallion answered the distant calls with powerful neighs."
Neigh is a wonderfully imitative word: hearing it is almost enough to picture a horse lifting its head and calling across a field.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does neigh come from?
The word comes through Middle English, where it appeared in forms such as ney and neien, and is imitative of a horse's call. Its sound was shaped to represent the rising, resonant noise associated with horses. The noun and verb developed directly from this older vocal imitation, while the modern spelling reflects the established English form of the word.
Related word forms
How neigh is actually used
The ordinary sense is the sound made by a horse. The mocking or derisive sense is much less common and is chiefly literary or old-fashioned.
Easily confused with neigh
Neigh names a horse's characteristic call, whereas nigh means near or almost, as in well-nigh impossible.