canter

/'kæntə/

Friendly

Word: Canter

Part of Speech: Noun and Verb

Usage Instructions:

• When you want to describe how a horse is moving, you can use "canter."
• You can also use "canter" when talking about riding a horse at this speed.

Examples:

• Noun: "The horse moved with a graceful canter across the field."
• Verb: "She cantered the horse along the beach."

Advanced Usage:

• "Cantering" can also be used to describe not just the movement of a horse but also metaphorically to describe something moving smoothly or swiftly in a non-literal sense. For example: "The project cantered along smoothly after the new manager took charge."

Word Variants:

• Cantered (verb, past tense): "He cantered the horse yesterday."
• Cantering (verb, present participle): "They are cantering through the park."

Different Meanings:

In addition to its meaning related to horses, "canter" does not have widely recognized alternate meanings in English. It is primarily used in the context of horseback riding.

Synonyms:

• For the noun: "gait" (though this is a broader term).
• For the verb: "trot" (though this is a different pace), "ride at a gallop" (though this is faster).

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that include the word "canter." However, you can use it in phrases related to horseback riding or describing smooth movement.

Summary:

• Canter is a specific term used in horseback riding to describe a particular gait of a horse.
• It can be used both as a noun and as a verb.

Academic

Noun

1. a smooth three-beat gait; between a trot and a gallop

Verb

1. ride at a cantering pace
   • He cantered the horse across the meadow
2. go at a canter, of horses
3. ride at a canter
   • The men cantered away

Synonyms

• lope