Word
horseshoe
Phoneticshorse·shoe, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɔɹsˌʃu/
UK/hˈɔːsʃuː/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a U-shaped piece of metal that people nail to a horse's hoof to protect it. It is also a symbol that many people believe brings good luck.
n. a U-shaped protective plate, typically made of iron or steel, nailed to the underside of a horse's hoof. Often used as a symbol of good fortune or as a piece of equipment in a traditional throwing game.
Examples
“The blacksmith fits a new horseshoe to the horse.”
“The farmer hung a rusty horseshoe above the barn door to bring the family good luck.”
“While modern horseshoes are often made of aluminum or synthetic materials for performance, the traditional iron version remains the standard for heavy labor and protection on rocky terrain.”
Examples
simple
“The blacksmith fits a new horseshoe to the horse.”
contextual
“The farmer hung a rusty horseshoe above the barn door to bring the family good luck.”
complex
“While modern horseshoes are often made of aluminum or synthetic materials for performance, the traditional iron version remains the standard for heavy labor and protection on rocky terrain.”
Usage
Often used in the plural when referring to the game or the set of shoes for a single animal.
Real-World Examples
“And each spring, from Brooklyn to Queens, the prehistoric, tank-like forms of horseshoe crabs haul themselves up onto beaches to mate and lay their eggs.” Etymology
From Middle English horsscho, horssho, horscho, hors schoo, equivalent to horse + shoe.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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