Mare
/mɛər/
nounA2
Definition
A mare is a grown female horse. People use this word mostly when talking about horses in farms, riding, or horse races. Male horses have different names, so "mare" helps show the horse is female and adult.
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See It in Action
Adult female horse
- •The mare carried the rider across the field.
- •Farmers often keep mares for breeding new foals.
- •The mare was calm and friendly with children.
(Less common) In old stories, "mare" can mean a spirit or nightmare, but this is rare today.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "mare" like "horse" (A1 word), but it means a female adult horse, not any horse
- ✓Picture a big, strong female horse standing calmly in a field or stable
- ✓It's the feeling of seeing a gentle, mature horse that might take care of younger horses
- ✓Sounds like "mare" which rhymes with "care" → imagine a caring female horse watching over her foal (baby horse)
- ✓In stories or cartoons, mares are often shown as motherly or calm horses
- ✓NOT like "colt" (young male horse) or "stallion" (adult male horse), "mare" is always female
- ✓NOT like "pony" (small horse), a mare is usually full size and adult
Try Other Words
- •Female horse: meaning an adult female horse (Use when you want to be clear but simple)
- •Horse: meaning any horse without specifying gender (Use when gender is not important)
- •Filly: a young female horse, usually under 3 years old (Use when talking about young female horses)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "mare" is a single root word with no prefix or suffix
- •Etymology: From Old English "mār," meaning female horse
- •Historical development: The word has been used in English for hundreds of years to mean adult female horse
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in farming, horse riding, and animal care to specify female horses
Reflect & Connect
•How might knowing the word "mare" help you understand stories or conversations about horses better?
•Why do you think people use different words for male and female horses instead of just "horse"?
Fill in the blanks
1.A mare is usually an adult female horse older than ___ years.
2.Farmers keep mares mainly for ___ and riding.
3.Unlike a stallion, a mare is always ___.
4.A young female horse is called a ___, not a mare.
5.When people say "the mare was calm," they mean the horse was ___ and gentle.
6.The word "mare" helps us know the ___ of the horse without saying "female horse."
7.You would not call a male horse a mare because a mare is always ___.