horny

adjective

ˈhȯr-nē 

hornier; horniest

1

a

: of or made of horn (see horn sense 1d)

a horny growth

b

: having a hard calloused surface or texture

horny skin

horny-handed

c

of a mineral : compact and homogeneous with a dull luster

2

: having horns (see horn sense 1)

3

[horn erect penis + -y entry 1]

a

: desiring sexual gratification

horny teenagers

b

: excited sexually

horniness noun

Synonyms

• concupiscent
• goatish
• hot
• hypersexual
• itchy
• lascivious
• lecherous
• lewd
• libidinous
• licentious
• lubricious
• lubricous
• lustful
• oversexed
• passionate
• randy
• salacious
• satyric
• wanton

Examples of horny in a Sentence

in her view, “teenage boys are perpetually horny”

Recent Examples on the Web

In the film, motherhood is no deterrent to Eden or Dawn’s pleasure—in fact, the demands of their lives amplify their urgent need for it, a reminder that moms and moms-to-be are as horny as everyone else. —Cady Lang, TIME, 24 May 2024

Beside her is Buteau as Dawn, a married dentist, Eden’s childhood best friend, and mother of two who promises to help shepherd her bestie through pregnancy’s horny highs and lonely lows — possibly at the expense of everyone’s time and sanity. —Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

see horn

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

horny

adjective

ˈhȯr-nē 

hornier; horniest

1

: made of horn or of something resembling horn

2

: hard entry 1 sense 1, callous

the horny layer of the skin of the hands

Medical Definition

horny

adjective

ˈhȯr-nē 

hornier; horniest

1

a

: composed of or resembling tough fibrous material consisting chiefly of keratin : keratinous

horny tissue

after the horny material has been … cut away

—Morris Fishbein

b

: being hard or callused

horny-handed

2

: having horns