equine

American  

[ee-kwahyn, ek-wahyn] / ˈi kwaɪn, ˈɛk waɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a horse or other member of the horse family.

   a bold, equine face.

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noun

1. Also called equid.  a horse or other member of the horse family.

   Her draft horses and mules are some of the finest equines we’ve ever seen.

equine British  

/ ˈɛkwaɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a horse

2. of, relating to, or belonging to the family Equidae, which comprises horses, zebras, and asses

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equine Scientific  

/ ē′kwīn′,ĕk′wīn′ /

1. Characteristic of or resembling horses or related animals, such as donkeys.

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Other Word Forms

• equinely adverb
• equinity noun
• unequine adjective

Etymology

Origin of equine

First recorded in 1770–80; from Latin equīnus, equivalent to equ(us) “horse” + -īnus adjective suffix; -ine ¹

Example Sentences

Every year, as many as 7,000 horses pass through the equine hotel.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

“A lot of times what the public thinks is the best thing to do, is not, if you understand equine physiology and understand equine health and veterinary care,” she added.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

You may have heard of the Horse Girl: the adolescent female obsessed with beasts of the equine variety, the girl who watches National Velvet on repeat and begs her parents for riding lessons.

From Slate • Oct. 1, 2025

Race meetings in Britain take place 363 days a year, unless called off for adverse weather, equine virus outbreaks and national crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

From BBC • Aug. 17, 2025

Out of nowhere Mom starts crying and apologizing for breaking up the family to chase her equine dreams.

From "Booked" by Kwame Alexander