Definition

1. Noun:

   • A hard, pointed, often curved growth on the head of certain animals: This is the primary meaning, referring to the permanent bony structures, often made of keratin, found on animals like cattle, goats, and antelopes. In deer, these are called antlers.
   • A substance: The hard material (keratin) that forms animal horns, hooves, claws, and nails.
   • A device that produces a loud sound: A warning device, such as an automobile horn or a loudspeaker.
   • A brass musical instrument: A wind instrument, such as a French horn or trumpet, typically with a flared bell.
   • Something shaped like a horn: Any object or part that tapers to a point, such as a peninsula, a crescent moon's tip, or a projection on an anvil or saddle.

2. Verb:

   • To gore or pierce with a horn: To attack or injure using a horn.
   • To provide with horns.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The bull lowered its head, showing its sharp horns.
  • The car's horn blared in the traffic jam.
  • She plays the horn in the orchestra.
  • We sailed around the horn of the bay.

• Verb:

  • The agitated bull horned the farmer. (This usage is less common).

Advanced Usage

• "to blow one's own horn": To boast or praise oneself.
  • He's always blowing his own horn about his accomplishments.
• "on the horns of a dilemma": Faced with a choice between two equally undesirable options.
  • The policy put the government on the horns of a dilemma.
• "lock horns": To argue or fight with someone.
  • The two managers locked horns over the budget.

Variants and Related Words

• Horned (adj): Having horns.
  • A horned lizard.
• Hornless (adj): Without horns.
• Horny (adj): Made of or resembling horn; hard and tough. (Note: This word has a separate, common informal meaning related to sexual arousal).
  • The turtle has a horny beak.

Synonyms

• Antler: The branched horn of a deer (specifically).
• Trumpet: A type of brass horn instrument.
• Klaxon: A type of loud electric horn.
• Spur: A pointed projection (similar in shape/function).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Horn in (on) (informal): To intrude or interrupt; to join a conversation or activity without being invited.
  • He always tries to horn in on our private discussions.

Related Idioms

• Take the bull by the horns: To confront a difficult problem directly and with courage.
  • She decided to take the bull by the horns and ask for a promotion.
• Pull/draw in one's horns: To become less assertive or ambitious; to reduce one's spending or activity.
  • After the failed venture, the company had to draw in its horns.

Noun

1. a device on an automobile for making a warning noise
2. a brass musical instrument consisting of a conical tube that is coiled into a spiral and played by means of valves
3. an alarm device that makes a loud warning sound
4. a device having the shape of a horn
   • horns at the ends of a new moon
   • the hornof an anvil
   • the cleat had two horns
5. the material (mostly keratin) that covers the horns of ungulates and forms hooves and claws and nails
6. any hard protuberance from the head of an organism that is similar to or suggestive of a horn
7. a brass musical instrument with a brilliant tone; has a narrow tube and a flared bell and is played by means of valves
8. a high pommel of a Western saddle (usually metal covered with leather)
9. a noise made by the driver of an automobile to give warning;
10. one of the bony outgrowths on the heads of certain ungulates
11. a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it

Verb

1. stab or pierce with a horn or tusk
   • the rhino horned the explorer