Soft equine greeting
Whicker is what horses do when they make a soft, breathy, low-pitched sound—gentler than a neigh or whinny, often used in greeting or anticipation.
A horse might whicker when it sees its owner approaching with feed.
The word works as both noun and verb: The mare gave a soft whicker as I entered the stable.
It's sometimes used figuratively for similar sounds, like a quiet laugh.
IDEA.org / Words / whicker
Soft equine greeting
Whicker is what horses do when they make a soft, breathy, low-pitched sound—gentler than a neigh or whinny, often used in greeting or anticipation.
A horse might whicker when it sees its owner approaching with feed.
The word works as both noun and verb: The mare gave a soft whicker as I entered the stable.
It's sometimes used figuratively for similar sounds, like a quiet laugh.
1. equestrian — horse, Domesticated riding animal; mare (Female adult equine); stallion (Intact male breeding horse); gelding (Castrated male equine); foal · colt · filly · pony · equine · muzzle · nostril · stable · paddock · pasture
2. sound — nicker, Soft horse vocalization; neigh (Horse's vocal call); snort (Noisy nasal exhale); snuffle (Noisy nasal breathing); blow · soft · gentle · breathy · low · quiet · vibrating · tremulous · flutter · murmur
VOLUME/INTENSITY OF HORSE VOCALIZATIONwhicker ≠ scream Loud sharp cry; whinny · neigh · shriek · squeal · bellow
whinny
Word data: Linguabase (CC0) · www.idea.org/words/whicker