bronco

/ˈbrɑːŋkoʊ/
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An unbroken or bucking western horse, and, when capitalized, Ford's off-road SUV line named for that animal.

Examples

  • The ranch hand eased a saddle onto the bronco before the first ride.
  • The rider stayed on the bronco for eight seconds.
  • His restored 1970s Bronco drew a crowd.
  • A bronco burst from the chute and bucked hard.
  • Her Bronco climbed the rocky trail without slipping.

Similar words

unbroken horse
sport-utility vehicle
SUV
4x4
off-road SUV
mustang
buckhorse
range horse
bronc
Ford Bronco

Meanings

Unbroken or bucking horse

noun
everyday
neutral
A horse, especially one associated with western North America, that is unbroken, hard to handle, or used for bucking in rodeo.

Usage

Use bronco for a horse known for being unbroken, difficult to ride, or used in bucking events.

Examples

  • The ranch hand eased a saddle onto the bronco before the first ride.
  • A bronco burst from the chute and bucked hard.
  • The old corral held three restless broncos.
  • The rider stayed on the bronco for eight seconds.
  • That horse is no pet, it is a green bronco.

Common mistakes

A gentle or fully trained horse is called a bronco when the rough, bucking sense is missing.
IncorrectCorrect
The child petted the gentle bronco at the fair. The child petted the gentle pony at the fair.
The bronco drove down the trail. The Bronco drove down the trail.
He broke the bronco yesterday, so it is still a bronco today. He broke the bronco yesterday, so it is now a saddle horse.

Similar words

Ford off-road SUV

noun
automotive
neutral
Capitalized, the name of Ford's Bronco line of off-road SUVs and related vehicles.

Usage

Use Bronco with a capital letter for the Ford vehicle, especially when the context is driving, models, trims, or off-road travel.

Examples

  • Her Bronco climbed the rocky trail without slipping.
  • Ford brought the Bronco name back for a new generation.
  • We loaded camping gear into the Bronco.
  • The Bronco Sport is smaller than the main Bronco.
  • His restored 1970s Bronco drew a crowd.

Common mistakes

The Ford name is left lowercase or treated as a horse instead of a vehicle.
IncorrectCorrect
I rode my bronco to the trailhead. I drove my Bronco to the trailhead.
Ford sells the bronco as a horse. Ford sells the Bronco as an SUV.
The Bronco needs new horseshoes. The Bronco needs new tires.

Similar words

Usage

Use lowercase bronco for the horse and capitalized Bronco for the Ford vehicle.

Common mistakes

A tame horse is called a bronco, or the Ford name is written lowercase when the vehicle is meant.

Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-19th century from Mexican Spanish bronco, from Spanish bronco meaning rough, wild, or gruff.

FAQ

What does bronco mean?

A bronco is an unbroken or hard-to-handle horse, especially one linked with western ranching or rodeo.

Is bronco the same as mustang?

Not exactly. A mustang is a free-roaming horse, while a bronco is defined by being unbroken, difficult to ride, or used for bucking.

Why is Bronco sometimes capitalized?

Bronco is capitalized when it names Ford's off-road SUV line.

Can bronco mean a Ford vehicle?

Yes. Capitalized as Bronco, it is the name of Ford's SUV model line.

How do you pronounce bronco?

bronco is pronounced /ˈbrɑːŋkoʊ/.

Is bronco a verb?

No. bronco is normally a noun.

What is the plural of bronco?

The regular plural is broncos.

Where does bronco come from?

It comes from Mexican Spanish bronco, from a Spanish word meaning rough, wild, or gruff.

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