Word
horn
Meanings
a hard pointed growth on the head of some animals
a device that makes a loud sound as a warning, especially on a vehicle
a brass or similar musical instrument played by blowing into it
Definition
A horn is a hard pointed growth on an animal’s head or a device used to make a loud warning sound.
A horn can mean the hard, often curved point on the head of some animals, such as cattle or goats. It can also refer to a device that makes a loud sound, especially to warn others, as in vehicles or musical instruments. The intended meaning is usually clear from context, such as animals, traffic, or music.
Examples
- The goat lowered its head, and one horn caught briefly on the fence before it pulled free.
- I leaned on the horn when the delivery van drifted into my lane without signalling.
- She plays the horn with impressive control, shaping each note to match the orchestra’s colour.
- They polished the horn carefully after rehearsal to keep the metal from tarnishing.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse horn (the sound-making device) with honk (the verb), saying “I horned” instead of “I honked.”
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