What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
whinny
Example
The horse whinnied when it saw its owner approaching. [whinnied: past tense verb]
Example
I could hear the whinny of the horses from the nearby stables. [whinny: noun]
nicker
Example
The horse nickers softly when I approach it in the field. [nickers: present tense verb]
Example
I could hear the nicker of the horse as it ate its hay. [nicker: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nicker is more commonly used than whinny in everyday language. Nicker is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while whinny is less common and is mainly used to describe a horse's vocalization.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between whinny and nicker?
Both whinny and nicker are informal words that are typically used in casual conversation or writing. However, nicker may be slightly more formal than whinny due to its versatility and wider range of uses.