Search Dictionary
Definition of horsetail

horsetail

/ˈhɔːrs.teɪl/
horse · tail
Plural:horsetails
JUMP TO:

horsetail Lexical Profile

horsetail Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The tail of a horse, consisting of a fleshy dock covered in long, coarse hair.

Example

"The groom gently brushed the horsetail to remove tangles and dried mud after a long ride through the countryside."

2

A non-flowering, spore-producing plant of the genus Equisetum, characterized by distinctively jointed, ridged stems and an abrasive texture due to its high silica content.

Example

"The biology students collected specimens of green horsetail growing abundantly in the damp, marshy soil near the stream."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for horsetail

• Nearby Words

horseshit
horseshoe
horseshoes
horsetail
horsetail falls
horsetrading
horsewhip

Word Origin & Etymology

Middle English 'horsetail', formed as a compound of 'horse' and 'tail'. First recorded in the mid-16th century to describe the plant due to its visual resemblance to the hairy tail of a horse.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Horsetail. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/horsetail
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.