English Reference
adjective · noun

equestrian

adj. · n.
US /ɪˈkwɛstɹiən/ UK /ɛkwˈɛstɹiən/ eques·tri·an UK spelling equestrians

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    adj.connected with riding horses or the skills involved in riding.

    adj.relating to horseback riding, horsemanship, or the performance of horses and riders.

    Simple

    The city is hosting a major equestrian event this summer with riders from all over the world.

    In context

    The Olympic equestrian disciplines require an extraordinary level of communication and trust between the athlete and the animal.

    horseyequine
  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal

    adj.showing a person riding a horse, usually in a statue or painting.

    adj.representing a person on horseback, typically used in the context of sculpture or portraiture.

    Simple

    There is a famous equestrian statue of the king in the middle of the square.

    In context

    The bronze equestrian monument dominates the plaza, portraying the general in a triumphant pose atop a rearing stallion.

  3. 03 C2 Proficiency TechnicalAcademic

    adj.relating to a specific social group in ancient Rome called the 'equites'.

    adj.relating to the ancient Roman social class of equites, originally the cavalry but later a powerful business and administrative class.

    Simple

    He studied the equestrian order to understand how Roman politics worked.

    In context

    The rise of the equestrian class during the late Republic significantly altered the traditional balance of power within the Roman Senate.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    n.a person who rides horses, especially someone who is very good at it.

    n.a person who rides horses, particularly a skilled performer or competitor in horse shows.

    Simple

    As a talented equestrian, she spends most of her weekends at the stables.

    In context

    The competition attracted top-tier equestrians from across the continent, all vying for the prestigious championship trophy.

    riderhorsemanhorsewoman

Lady in Blue brilliantly exploits the potential of the long rectangular plinth, built in 1841 for an equestrian statue that was never erected, to encompass a lolloping human gait.

The Guardian· 10 Sept 2026

Ultimately from Latin equester (“of or pertaining to equestrians/cavalry”) + -ianus (“-ian, related to”, adjective marker), from equus (“horse”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin equester
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated