Neigh is the loud, long cry that a horse makes. When you hear a horse neigh, it sounds like a drawn-out “nay-ay-ay” that can carry across a field. Horses neigh to communicate with each other or with people, often when they're excited, greeting a friend, or calling out to find their herd.

The sound is different from other horse noises: a quiet nicker is like a gentle hello, while a snort is just clearing the nose. But a neigh is unmistakable and powerful, made by pushing air through the voice box while the mouth is partly open. A frightened or lonely horse might neigh loudly, hoping another horse will answer.

You'll often see “neigh” written in books to show the sound a horse makes, just like “meow” for a cat or “moo” for a cow. When a horse neighs in a story, it usually means something important is happening: maybe the horse senses danger, recognizes its owner, or wants attention. If you've ever been near horses, you recognize that distinctive sound immediately.