What does "mustang" mean?
A small, hardy, naturalized (feral) horse of the North American west.
Mustang
/ˈmʌs.tæŋ/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A small, hardy, naturalized (feral) horse of the North American west.
- Grammar: mustang is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: automobile, bronco, brumby, car model.
- Useful contrasts: domestic horse, family car, luxury sedan.
- Usage evidence: Since Mac wants to buy a new Mustang, he is saving money.
How to use "mustang"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "mustang" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "mustang" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "mustang" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "mustang" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "mustang" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "automobile" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "mustang", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A small, hardy, naturalized (feral) horse of the North American west.
"The mustang pony, the invariable companion of the inhabitant of the prairie, whether he is rich or poor, is a little creature, apparently narrow-chested, and small across the loins."
- 2 An American sports car, manufactured by Ford Motor Company from 1964 till present, a cultural icon and the longest-produced Ford nameplate.
- 3 small hardy range horse of the western plains descended from horses brought by the Spanish wordnet
- 4 A merchant marine who joined the U.S. Navy as a commissioned officer during the American Civil War. US, slang
"He is a product of the merchant marine and is one of the officers called "Mustangs" who entered the navy during the Civil War."
- 5 The P-51 Mustang was a single-seat fighter plane designed by North American Aviation in 1940.
Show 1 more definition
- 6 A commissioned officer who started military service as an enlisted person. US, slang
"[…] and the chief engineer is a "mustang" — that is, an officer who has risen from the ranks of enlisted men."
Verb
- 1 To hunt mustangs (wild horses), either for military use or for slaughter as pet food. US
Proper Noun
- 1 A district of Nepal.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
domestic horsefamily carluxury sedantame horse
Example
"Since Mac wants to buy a new Mustang, he is saving money."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "mustang"?
Common synonyms include: automobile, bronco, brumby, car model, feral horse, horses.
How do you use "mustang" in a sentence?
Since Mac wants to buy a new Mustang, he is saving money.
How do you pronounce "mustang"?
Pronounced /ˈmʌs.tæŋ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Mexican Spanish mestengo, from Old Spanish mesteño (“feral animal”) or mestengo (“feral animal”).
Etymology 2
From mustang (“a horse of the North American west”).