ENGLISH
REFERENCE

colt

n. · v.
US //ˈkoʊɫt// UK //kˈəʊlt// colt
  1. 1 young horse (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a young male horse, usually under four years old.

    a young male horse, typically under the age of four; the term is specific to sex and age.

    Example

    The farmer watched the young colt running across the field with its mother.

    Example

    The stable manager decided to separate the yearling colt from the fillies to prevent any early aggression during feeding times.
  2. 2 inexperienced person (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary Sport

    a young or inexperienced person, especially in a sport or a job.

    a youthful or inexperienced person; a novice. Often used in sports contexts to describe junior players.

    Example

    The team signed a talented young colt who had never played in the major leagues.

    Example

    Despite being a mere colt in the world of international diplomacy, the young attaché handled the negotiations with surprising maturity.
  3. 3 a type of gun (n.)
    C1 Advanced American English

    a famous brand of handgun, often seen in old Western movies.

    a revolver or pistol manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Company, historically significant in the American West.

    Example

    The cowboy carried a heavy Colt in a leather holster on his hip.

    Example

    The museum's collection includes several ivory-handled Colts that were reportedly used during the frontier era.
  4. 4 rope for punishment (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Technical Science

    a short piece of rope used in the past to punish sailors.

    a short length of knotted rope formerly used by petty officers for summary corporal punishment.

    Example

    The sailor feared the officer would use the colt if he didn't work faster.

    Example

    Historical naval records indicate that the use of the colt was a common, if brutal, method of maintaining discipline among the crew.
  5. 5 to play or frolic (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Literary

    to run and play in a lively way, like a young horse.

    to frisk, frolic, or behave in a wanton or lively manner reminiscent of a young horse.

    Example

    The children were colting about in the garden during the summer party.

    Example

    The poet described the youth of the village colting through the meadows without a care for the coming winter.
Related words

Last updated June 20, 2026