horn
gb/hˈɔɹn/ us/hˈɔɹn/
A2
English
~ 7300
duda, szarv, kürt, francia kürt, szaruból készült vagy szarv alakú tárgy, két rossz lehetőség egyike, a dilemma egyik ága, álló farok, merevedés, telefon, telefonkagyló
NOUN
A2
1
duda
A2
Usage pattern:
the horn of [a vehicle]
She hit the horn when the cyclist moved into her lane.
Rányomott a dudára, amikor a kerékpáros áttért az ő sávjába.
The taxi's horn kept blaring outside the hotel entrance.
A taxi folyton dudált a szálloda bejárata előtt.
If the light is green and the car in front doesn't move, people start honking their horns.
The truck driver leaned on his horn as he drove through the tunnel.
Please don't use your horn late at night; it wakes the neighbors.
Learner examples
He pressed the horn to stop the child from crossing.
Megnyomta a dudát, hogy a gyerek ne menjen át az úton.
The bus driver used the horn at the corner.
A buszvezető a saroknál dudált.
I heard a car horn outside my window.
She does not like it when drivers honk their horns.
The taxi's horn was very loud.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'horn' and 'honk'. 'Horn' is the device on the vehicle. 'Honk' is usually the verb for using it (e.g., 'He honked the horn'). Also, in some languages the same word is used for a siren, but in English a 'siren' is a different, usually continuous alarm sound.
Meaning
warning device on a vehicle
Collocations
car horn
|honk the horn
|blow the horn
|toot the horn
|blast of the horn
|horn blared
Synonyms
hooter (Informal British word for a car horn; less common in American English.)
|
klaxon (A specific brand name often used for very loud warning horns, especially on ships or in factories.)
Antonyms
silencer (A device that reduces noise, the opposite function of a horn, which creates loud noise.)
Themes
transport
|daily life
|transportation
|daily_life
Definition
A part of a car or other vehicle that makes a loud sound when you press it, to warn or signal people.
A device on a car, truck, or other vehicle that makes a loud sound to warn or signal other people.
NOUN
A2
2
szarv
A2
Usage pattern:
the horn(s) of [an animal]
The bull lowered its head and pointed its horns at the matador.
A bika lehajtotta a fejét, és szarvait a torreádorra szegezte.
Mountain goats use their horns to fight for territory.
A hegyi kecskék a szarvukkal harcolnak a területért.
Farmers sometimes remove the horns of young cattle for safety.
The sculpture showed a ram with long, twisted horns.
She decorated the wall with an old set of cow horns.
Learner examples
The cow has two horns on its head.
A tehén fején két szarv van.
The goat hit the fence with its horns.
A kecske a szarvaival ütötte a kerítést.
That animal has very long horns.
They found a broken horn on the ground.
The bull's horns are very dangerous.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes mix up 'horn' and 'antler'. Horns are usually solid, can grow throughout an animal's life, and are found on animals like cows and goats. Antlers are grown and dropped each year and are found on animals like deer.
Meaning
hard pointed part on an animal
Collocations
curved horns
|sharp horns
|goat's horns
|cow horns
|lock horns
Synonyms
antler (Used for the branched bony structures on animals like deer; similar position and function but a different biological structure.)
Antonyms
hornless (Describes animals that do not have horns, either naturally or because they have been removed.)
Themes
animals
|nature
Definition
A hard, pointed part that grows on the head of some animals, like cows and goats.
A hard, pointed structure made of keratin that grows from the head of certain animals such as cows, goats, and antelopes.
NOUN
B1
3
kürt
B1
francia kürt
B2
Usage pattern:
play the horn in [a band]
She plays horn in the city orchestra.
A városi zenekarban kürtön játszik.
The band added more horns to get a bigger sound.
A zenekar több fúvóst vont be, hogy teltebb legyen a hangzás.
He started out on trumpet but later switched to horn.
The horn section came in with a bright, brassy melody.
Learning the French horn is challenging because the horn is difficult to tune.
Learner examples
My friend plays the horn in a jazz band.
A barátom kürtön játszik egy jazzegyüttesben.
He wants to learn the French horn.
Meg szeretne tanulni francia kürtön játszani.
The song has a very loud horn part.
The horns started to play, and everyone danced.
She bought a new horn for music school.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'horn' always means 'French horn'. In everyday speech, 'horns' can also mean other brass instruments or even saxophones in a band. In classical music contexts, however, 'horn' usually specifically refers to the French horn.
Meaning
brass or wind musical instrument
Collocations
play the horn
|French horn
|horn section
|jazz horn player
|blow his horn
Synonyms
brass (Informal collective term for brass instruments or their players in a band; not a one-to-one synonym for a single 'horn'.)
Antonyms
strings (The family of stringed instruments in contrast to horns and other wind instruments.)
Themes
music
|entertainment
|arts_entertainment
|education
Definition
A musical instrument that you play by blowing air into it, especially a French horn or similar brass instrument.
A brass or other wind instrument, especially a French horn, but also informally any instrument in the brass or saxophone family.
NOUN
B2
4
Usage pattern:
a [type] horn filled with [something]
The museum displayed a Viking drinking horn carved with patterns.
A múzeumban vésett mintákkal díszített viking ivókürtöt állítottak ki.
He carried gunpowder in a small leather powder horn.
Egy kis, szarv alakú bőr lőportartóban hordta a puskaport.
The hunter raised his horn and blew a short signal.
The centerpiece was a horn of plenty overflowing with fruit.
She bought a decorative horn made of brass to hang over the fireplace.
Learner examples
He drank wine from a big horn.
Egy nagy ivókürtből ivott bort.
The soldier kept bullets in a powder horn.
A katona egy lőportartó szaruban tartotta a golyóit.
They used a horn to call people from the field.
The picture shows a horn full of fruit.
We saw an old hunting horn in the castle.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'horn of plenty' is about sound. It actually refers to a horn-shaped container filled with food, a symbol of abundance.
Meaning
container or tool made from a horn
Collocations
drinking horn
|powder horn
|hunting horn
|horn of plenty
|signal horn
Synonyms
cornucopia (Specifically a horn-shaped container for fruit and flowers; one common type of horn-shaped object.)
Antonyms
cup (A regular, straight-sided drinking container, unlike a curved horn-shaped one.)
Themes
history
|objects
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A special object made from an animal horn or with the same shape, for example for drinking from or for making sounds.
A container, signal instrument, or similar object traditionally made from an animal horn or formed in the shape of a horn.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
5
Usage pattern:
on the horns of [a dilemma]
The committee found itself on the horns of a dilemma: raise taxes or cut essential services.
A bizottság nehéz dilemma elé került: emelje az adókat, vagy vágja vissza az alapvető szolgáltatásokat.
Either option would upset voters, so both horns of the dilemma were unattractive.
Bármelyik lehetőség felháborította volna a választókat, így egyik alternatíva sem volt vonzó.
Philosophers have long debated how to escape the horns of this moral dilemma.
He tried to avoid being caught on the horns of a legal dispute.
The policy leaves us impaled on the horns of competing priorities.
Learner examples
She is on the horns of a dilemma about her job.
Nehéz dilemma előtt áll a munkájával kapcsolatban.
Both horns of the dilemma are bad for the company.
A dilemma mindkét lehetősége rossz a vállalatnak.
The story shows a man on the horns of a hard choice.
He wants to escape the horns of this problem.
The horns of the dilemma are clear, but the answer is not.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'horns of a dilemma' is a literal phrase about animals. It is almost always used figuratively for two bad choices in one problem.
Meaning
one of two sharp alternatives
Collocations
horns of a dilemma
|each horn of the dilemma
|sharp horn of the problem
|between the horns
Synonyms
option (A more general, neutral word for a choice; 'horn' suggests a sharply difficult or painful option.)
Antonyms
easy choice (A situation where the options are not painful or sharply opposed.)
Themes
thinking
|problems
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
One of two sharp ends or hard choices, especially in the phrase 'on the horns of a dilemma'.
One of the pointed ends of something, especially used figuratively for one of two difficult or undesirable choices in a situation.
NOUN
C1
VULGAR
6
álló farok
C2
merevedés
B2
Usage pattern:
have a horn
The comedian used the word 'horn' in a dirty joke about teenage boys.
A komikus az „álló farok” kifejezést használta egy kamasz fiúkról szóló mocskos viccben.
In that movie, the character wakes up with a horn and feels embarrassed.
Abban a filmben a szereplő álló farokkal ébred, és zavarba jön.
This vulgar use of 'horn' is not appropriate in polite conversation.
Learner examples
This meaning of 'horn' is very rude slang.
A horn szónak ez a jelentése nagyon durva szleng.
You should not use the word 'horn' like this in normal talk.
Hétköznapi beszélgetésben nem szabad így használni a horn szót.
In some films, they use 'horn' as a bad joke about sex.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this meaning is vulgar and old-fashioned in many regions. It should be avoided in formal or polite situations.
Meaning
slang for a penile erection
Collocations
get a horn
|have a horn
|big horn
Synonyms
boner (Common vulgar slang for an erection; more widely used today than 'horn' in this sense.)
Antonyms
flaccid (Describes the penis when it is not erect; opposite physical state.)
Themes
sex
|slang
|body
Definition
Very rude slang for when a man's penis is hard.
Very informal and vulgar slang for an erection of the penis.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
7
telefon
A1
Usage pattern:
get on the horn to [someone]
I'll get on the horn and see if I can find us a table.
Telefonálok egyet, hátha tudok asztalt szerezni nekünk.
He picked up the horn and dialed his lawyer.
Felvette a telefonkagylót, és tárcsázta az ügyvédje számát.
In old gangster movies, they sometimes call the telephone 'the horn'.
Learner examples
He got on the horn and called his friend.
Felkapta a telefont, és felhívta a barátját.
In this book, they use the word 'horn' for phone.
Ebben a könyvben a horn szót a telefon jelentésében használják.
Today, people usually say 'phone', not 'horn'.
The boss was on the horn with a client all morning.
Common mistake:
Learners might think this meaning is current everyday English. In reality, it sounds old-fashioned or belongs to specific dialects and should usually be avoided in modern conversation.
Meaning
informal term for a telephone
Collocations
on the horn
|get on the horn
|pick up the horn
|call him on the horn
Synonyms
phone (The normal, neutral word; 'horn' sounds dated and slangy.)
Antonyms
face-to-face (Describes direct, in-person communication instead of using the phone.)
Themes
communication
|technology
|daily_life
Definition
An informal, old word for a telephone.
Informal and somewhat old-fashioned slang for a telephone.
Grammar
Dictionary form
horn
IPA
GB/hˈɔɹn/
US/hˈɔɹn/
Syllables & stress
horn (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (horn)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: horn
- Plural: horn, horns
Word family
Forms
horns
noun
Core family
horned
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
hornless
adjective
Advanced or less common
horny
adjective B2
Expressions
blow the horn
1/blˈoʊ ðə hˈɔɹn/
fixed phrase
use a horn to signal
To use a horn, for example on a car or as a musical or hunting signal, so that it makes a loud sound.
Examples
- Don't blow the horn unless it's an emergency.
- The coach blew the horn to start the race.
blow your own horn
1/blˈoʊ jˈʊɹ ˈoʊn hˈɔɹn/
idiom
informal
brag about yourself
To talk a lot about your own skills or successes, in a way that sounds like bragging.
Examples
- I don't want to blow my own horn, but I did finish the project a week early.
- She rarely blows her own horn, even though she's the best player on the team.
horn in on
1/hˈɔɹn ˈɪn ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
informal
intrude without being invited
To join or interfere in someone else's activity, plan, or conversation when they did not ask you to.
Examples
- I don't want to horn in on your plans, but could I come along?
- He's always trying to horn in on other people's business deals.
horn of plenty
1/hˈɔɹn əv plˈɛnti/
fixed phrase
cornucopia, symbol of abundance
A horn-shaped container full of fruit, grain, and other food, used as a symbol of having a lot of good things.
Examples
- The Thanksgiving table was decorated with a horn of plenty in the center.
- In art, the horn of plenty often represents wealth and good harvests.
on the horn
1/ˈɔn ðə hˈɔɹn/
fixed phrase
informal
talking on the phone
Talking on the telephone.
Examples
- He's been on the horn with tech support for an hour.
- I'll get on the horn to our supplier and see what they can do.
on the horns of a dilemma
1/ˈɔn ðə hˈɔɹnz əv ə dɪlˈɛmə/
idiom
formal
faced with two bad choices
In a hard situation where you must choose between two bad or difficult options.
Examples
- The company is on the horns of a dilemma: raise prices or cut staff.
- Voters often find themselves on the horns of a dilemma in two-party systems.
sound the horn
1/sˈaʊnd ðə hˈɔɹn/
fixed phrase
use a vehicle horn
To press the horn on a car or other vehicle so it makes a sound.
Examples
- Sound the horn if you see anyone crossing the driveway.
- The driver sounded his horn as he passed the school.
toot your own horn
1/tˈut jˈʊɹ ˈoʊn hˈɔɹn/
idiom
informal
boast about your achievements
To proudly tell people how good you are or what you have done, so that it sounds like bragging.
Examples
- He loves to toot his own horn about his sales numbers.
- Not to toot my own horn, but I think the presentation went really well.
lock horns
1/lˈɑk hˈɔɹnz/
idiom
Engage in direct conflict or argument
To get into an argument or fight with someone.
Examples
- The two leaders locked horns over trade policy.
- The two candidates locked horns over healthcare policy in the debate.
- They often lock horns during meetings.
- He often locks horns with his manager about how to run the team.
take the bull by the horns
1/tˈeɪk ðə bˈʊl bˈaɪ ðə hˈɔɹnz/
idiom
face a problem bravely and directly
To deal with a difficult or scary problem in a direct and brave way, instead of waiting or hiding.
Examples
- It was time to take the bull by the horns and talk to his boss about the mistake.
- It's time to take the bull by the horns and talk to your boss about the issue.
- She finally took the bull by the horns and ended the unhealthy relationship.
- She took the bull by the horns and called the customer to apologize.
- The government must take the bull by the horns and reform the tax system.