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Definition of horn

horn

/hɔːrn/
horn

Plural:horns
•
Adjective:horned
•
Past Simple:horned
•
Past Participle:horned
•
Present Participle:horning
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horn Lexical Profile

horn Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A device sounding a warning or signal, typically installed on a motor vehicle or vessel.

Example

"The driver impatiently honked his horn when the traffic light turned green."


2

A hard permanent outgrowth, often curved and pointed, found in pairs on the heads of cattle, sheep, goats, giraffes, and other mammals.

Example

"The impressive ram stood on the cliff, its large curved horns silhouetted against the sky."


3

A wind instrument, originally made from an animal horn but now usually made of brass, played by vibrating the lips against a mouthpiece.

Example

"She played the French horn beautifully during the symphony's opening movement."

Synonyms
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• verb

1

To intrude or interfere in a situation or conversation where one is uninvited (typically used with 'in').

Example

"I didn't mean to horn in on your private discussion with the manager."


2

To butt, gore, or strike with a horn or horns.

Example

"The aggressive bull attempted to horn the heavy wooden fence posts out of its enclosure."

Synonyms
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• Rhymes for horn

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'horn', of Germanic origin. Related to Dutch 'horen' and German 'Horn', from an Indo-European root shared with Latin 'cornu' and Greek 'keras'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Horn. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/horn
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