What does nicker mean?
A nicker is a short, sharp sound resembling the neigh of a horse. The noun can refer to the sound itself, to a horse or other animal that produces such a sound, or, in literary contexts, to a person who neighs or makes a similar noise. The verb nicker means to make that sound. Although once a normal description of horses making a noise, it has largely been replaced in everyday speech by the more flexible verb neigh, which can refer both to the action and to the sound. Nicker also has older senses connected with cheating or stealing horses, but these are uncommon in modern usage. The word is useful chiefly for vivid literary description, where its clipped form can suggest a brief or muffled equine call.
A horse's neigh or a short, sharp horse-like sound; something that neighs; historically, a swindler or horse thief.
"We heard a nicker from the field just before the horses appeared."
The sound-related sense is now chiefly literary, archaic, or playful. The senses concerning swindlers and horse thieves are uncommon.
To make a short, sharp neighing sound.
"The horse nickered softly as the rider approached."
Literary or archaic; in ordinary use, neigh is normally preferred.
Used for the noun when referring to multiple sounds, animals, people, swindlers, or horse thieves.
"The nickers of several horses echoed across the valley."
A horse may neigh; a nicker is the literary name for the sound itself.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nicker come from?
The sound-related senses of nicker arose from an imitative English formation parallel to neigh, with the word used both for the act of making a horse-like sound and for the sound itself. The verb nicker continued this usage but eventually became literary or archaic. The separate senses connected with a swindler or horse thief derive from older senses of nick meaning to cheat, steal, or make off with property.
Related word forms
How nicker is actually used
The sound-related senses are now literary, archaic, or playful, and most speakers simply use neigh for the action or sound. The senses meaning a swindler or horse thief belong to older or less common usage. As a verb, nicker is especially literary and should not be confused with the unrelated verb nick.
Easily confused with nicker
A nicker is a neighing sound or, historically, a person associated with horses, whereas a knicker most commonly refers to a garment, short trousers, or a traditional shoe.