neigh

American  

[ney] / neɪ /

verb (used without object)

1. to utter the cry of a horse; whinny.

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noun

1. the cry of a horse; whinny.

neigh British  

/ neɪ /

noun

1. the high-pitched cry of a horse; whinny

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verb

1. (intr) to make a neigh or a similar noise

2. (tr) to utter with a sound like a neigh

Etymology

Origin of neigh

before 1000; Middle English ney ( gh ) en, Old English hnǣgan, cognate with Middle Dutch neyen, Old Saxon hnēgian, Middle High German nēgen, Old High German hneigen, Old Norse hneggja; akin to Old Saxon hnechian; Middle Dutch nighen, Middle Low German nigen, Middle High German nyhen; and, with intrusion in the initial, Old Norse gneggja, Norwegian kneggja. See nag ²

Explanation

The sound that a horse makes is called a neigh. A horse's happy neigh is sometimes a greeting to other horses. You can use neigh to talk about the noise your horse makes, also known as a whinny or a bray. Neigh is also a verb: horses neigh cheerfully or in frustration, and your little brother might like to ride a broomstick wildly around the house and neigh. The word comes from the Old English hnægan, which is most likely imitative of the actual sound of a neigh. In other words, it's an example of onomatopoeia — when a word sounds like what it means.

Example Sentences

Even on the backside, it seemed like any other race day: Workers tended to horses who let out the occasional neigh.

From Seattle Times • May 6, 2023

They knew their jobs and did them with nary a peep, bark or neigh.

From Washington Post • Nov. 15, 2019

The horse gave a short snort and neigh, then paced around the equestrian center, one of eight shelters for animals affected by the Sand fire. 

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 25, 2016

A blow for Matt Cast: zebras don’t neigh.

From The Guardian • May 19, 2016

"Ah, you can neigh like a horse as well. Now, bring your hoof—I mean your hand—in closer to your leg, else your opponent might do this."

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood