English Reference
noun

mare

n.
US /ˈmɛɹ/ mare UK spelling mare's, mare's

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    an adult female horse.

    an adult female horse, typically over the age of three or four.

    Simple

    The farmer kept a gentle mare and her young foal in the field.

    In context

    The stable manager decided to retire the prize-winning mare from racing to focus on her potential as a broodmare.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate British EnglishInformal

    a very difficult, annoying, or embarrassing situation.

    a nightmare or highly frustrating experience; a shortening of 'nightmare'.

    Simple

    I had a total mare at work today when the computer system crashed.

    In context

    The goalkeeper had a complete mare, conceding three soft goals in the first half before being substituted at the break.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical Science

    a large, dark, flat area on the surface of the moon.

    a large, dark, basaltic plain on Earth's Moon, formed by ancient volcanic eruptions.

    Simple

    The Sea of Tranquility is a famous mare where the first astronauts landed.

    In context

    Early astronomers mistakenly identified each lunar mare as a literal sea, unaware that these dark patches were actually solidified lava flows.

    Usage

    The plural form is 'maria'.

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated