whinny

Stable greeting sound

A whinny is the high-pitched, gentle cry of a horse—softer and more breathy than a neigh.

Horses whinny to greet familiar people or other horses, or when anticipating food.

The word works as both noun and verb: The mare whinnied when she saw me approaching with the bucket.

sound

neigh

Horse's vocal call

nickerSoft horse vocalization
snortNoisy nasal exhale
horseDomesticated riding animal

stallion · mare · foal · gelding · filly · colt · equine · vocalization · call · signal

equestrian

saddle

Mounted rider's seat

bridleEquine control harness
reinsBit-attached steering straps
stirrupMounted rider's foot support

bit · girth · trot · canter · gallop · dressage · paddock · stable · pasture · rider

mirthful

laughter

Vocal expression of amusement

giggleSoft, silly vocalization
chuckleLow, suppressed laugh
snickerStifled, scornful laugh

titter · amusement · glee · playfulness · delight · merriment · high-pitched · nervous · excited · childlike

Categories

horseshorse, mare, mares, stallion, stallions
animal callsbird call, bird calls, ribbit, frog calls, peep
animal soundsbark, meow, woof, moo, roar
owl soundshoot, screech, mating call, alarm call, whoop
mare-relatedmane, tail, hoof, hooves, foal
soundssound, beeps, listen, sounds, hear

Opposites

horse vocalization type

whinnysnort

Noisy nasal exhale

roar · squeal · scream · bellow · neigh

vocalization intensity/volume

whinnyroar

Loud, deep animal cry

bellow · thunder · blast · boom · shriek

sound quality

whinnygrowl

Low threatening sound

rumble · bellow · snarl · grunt · groan

Family

whinnied, whinnying, whinnies

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G