pony

[ poh-nee ]

/ ˈpoʊ ni /

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See synonyms for pony on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural po·nies.

a small horse of any of several breeds, usually not higher at the shoulder than 14½ hands (58 inches/146 centimeters).

a horse of any small type or breed.

Slang. a literal translation or other text, used illicitly as an aid in schoolwork or while taking a test; crib.

something small of its kind.

a small glass for liquor.

the amount of liquor it will hold, usually one ounce (29.6 milliliters).

a small beverage bottle, often holding seven ounces (196 grams): We bought a dozen ponies of Mexican beer.

Older Slang. a diminutive chorus girl.

pony pack.

British Slang. the sum of 25 pounds.

verb (used with object), po·nied, po·ny·ing.

Slang. to prepare (lessons) by means of a pony.

Racing Slang.

to be the outrider for (a racehorse).
to exercise (a racehorse) by having a rider mounted on another horse lead it at a gallop around a track.

verb (used without object), po·nied, po·ny·ing.

to prepare a lesson or lessons with the aid of a pony.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about pony

pony up, Informal. to pay (money), as in settling an account: Next week you'll have to pony up the balance of the loan.

Origin of pony

First recorded in 1650–60; earlier powney, from obsolete French poulenet, diminutive of poulain “colt,” from Medieval Latin pullānus (Latin pull(us) “young animal” + -ānus adjective suffix); see foal, -an, -et

Words nearby pony

Pontormo, Pontus, Pontus Euxinus, Pontypool, Pontypridd, pony, pony express, Pony League, pony pack, ponytail, pony trekking

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pony in a sentence

I distinctly remember turning 5 in my backyard with a small pony my grandma had found and the Hot Wheel cars my first-grade crush came to play with.
My Mom Gave Birth to Me After She Was Assaulted. Don't Use My Story as an Anti-Abortion Talking Point|Lane Clarke|June 27, 2022|Time
Whether an equine animal is classified as a horse or pony depends entirely on its size.
Medieval knights rode tiny horses into battle|Hannah Seo|January 12, 2022|Popular-Science
No one benefits from Manchin’s belief there’s a pony in the manure McConnell is shoveling more than Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Here’s Why Schumer’s Mostly OK With Manchin Blocking His Agenda|Margaret Carlson|June 11, 2021|The Daily Beast
These gussied-up ponies act like dumpster-diving raccoons while snarling at residents.
What would it take to make a unicorn?|Carolyn Wilke|March 4, 2020|Science News For Students

Almost immediately after mounting my trusty steed, I was ready to end my pony ride.
I Tried Cosmo’s Lesbian Sex Tips and They Were Terrible|Samantha Allen|July 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“I think being a one-trick pony is not the long game here,” Fishman says.
Back Off, B*tches. There’s Only One Butt Selfie Queen|Cheryl Wischhover|May 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As a lawmaker, she has always been more of a show pony than a workhorse.
Michele Bachmann’s Crazy War on Women’s History|Michelle Cottle|May 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Revel in Wild West lore at the Pony Express National Museum and Jesse James Home Museum in St Joseph, just outside KC.
The U.S. Road Trips You Should Really Take|Lonely Planet|April 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Think about it: Exactly who is going to pony up the money to study the downsides of eating eggplants?
Pizza Might Be Your Enemy|Daniela Drake|March 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A little corral for the sheep, and a rough shed for the pony, and the home was complete: far the prettiest home they had ever had.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
You would laugh if you should see the strings of eggs hanging across this pony's back—yes, eggs.
Our Little Korean Cousin|H. Lee M. Pike
As on the preceding day, the cook rode perched upon his pony's load of kettles, pans, and pots.
Our Little Korean Cousin|H. Lee M. Pike
“But we ought to pony up the money for his support like good sports,” said Darry, continuing to growl.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn|Margaret Penrose
She rubbed down the pony, gave him his oats and a warm bed, and returned with a sadder heart to the house than when she left it.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie

British Dictionary definitions for pony

pony

/ (ˈpəʊnɪ) /

noun plural ponies

any of various breeds of small horse, usually under 14.2 hands

a small drinking glass, esp for liqueurs
the amount held by such a glass

anything small of its kind

British slang a sum of £25, esp in bookmaking

Also called: trot US slang a literal translation used by students, often illicitly, in preparation for foreign language lessons or examinations; crib

Word Origin for pony

C17: from Scottish powney, perhaps from obsolete French poulenet a little colt, from poulain colt, from Latin pullus young animal, foal

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with pony

pony

In addition to the idioms beginning with pony

pony up

also see:

dog-and-pony show

pony

Idioms about pony

Origin of pony

Words nearby pony

Words related to pony

How to use pony in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pony

Word Origin for pony

Other Idioms and Phrases with pony