Advertisement

View synonyms for pony

pony

[ poh-nee ]

noun

, plural po·nies.
  1. a small horse of any of several breeds, usually not higher at the shoulder than 14½ hands (58 inches/146 centimeters).
  2. a horse of any small type or breed.
  3. Slang. a literal translation or other text, used illicitly as an aid in schoolwork or while taking a test; crib.
  4. something small of its kind.
  5. a small glass for liquor.
  6. the amount of liquor it will hold, usually one ounce (29.6 milliliters).
  7. a small beverage bottle, often holding seven ounces (196 grams):

    We bought a dozen ponies of Mexican beer.

  8. Older Slang. a diminutive chorus girl.
  9. British Slang. the sum of 25 pounds.


verb (used with object)

, po·nied, po·ny·ing.
  1. Slang. to prepare (lessons) by means of a pony.
  2. Racing Slang.
    1. to be the outrider for (a racehorse).
    2. 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.
  1. to prepare a lesson or lessons with the aid of a pony.

pony

/ ˈpəʊnɪ /

noun

  1. any of various breeds of small horse, usually under 14.2 hands
    1. a small drinking glass, esp for liqueurs
    2. the amount held by such a glass
  2. anything small of its kind
  3. slang.
    a sum of £25, esp in bookmaking
  4. slang.
    Also calledtrot a literal translation used by students, often illicitly, in preparation for foreign language lessons or examinations; crib


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of pony1

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); foal, -an, -et

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of pony1

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

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. pony up, Informal. to pay (money), as in settling an account:

    Next week you'll have to pony up the balance of the loan.

More idioms and phrases containing pony

  • dog-and-pony show

Discover More

Example Sentences

Almost immediately after mounting my trusty steed, I was ready to end my pony ride.

“I think being a one-trick pony is not the long game here,” Fishman says.

As a lawmaker, she has always been more of a show pony than a workhorse.

Revel in Wild West lore at the Pony Express National Museum and Jesse James Home Museum in St Joseph, just outside KC.

Think about it: Exactly who is going to pony up the money to study the downsides of eating eggplants?

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.

You would laugh if you should see the strings of eggs hanging across this pony's back—yes, eggs.

As on the preceding day, the cook rode perched upon his pony's load of kettles, pans, and pots.

“But we ought to pony up the money for his support like good sports,” said Darry, continuing to growl.

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.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Pontypriddpony express