farrier

noun

far·​ri·​er ˈfer-ē-ər 

ˈfa-rē-

: a person who shoes horses

Did you know?

Farrier is now usually applied specifically to a blacksmith who specializes in shoeing horses, a skill that requires not only the ability to shape and fit horseshoes, but also the ability to clean, trim, and shape a horse's hooves. When farrier first appeared in English (as ferrour), it referred to someone who not only shoed horses, but who provided general veterinary care for them as well. Middle English ferrour was borrowed from the Anglo-French word of the same form, which referred to a blacksmith who shoes horses. That word derives from the verb ferrer ("to shoe horses"), which can ultimately be traced back to Latin ferrum, meaning "iron."

Examples of farrier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Panos said no farrier seems to get into the business in the same way. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026

Those jobs belong to grooms, hot walkers, farriers, veterinarians, feed dealers, hay farmers and trainers who are at the barn before sunrise 365 days a year. — Tk Kuegler, Baltimore Sun, 29 Oct. 2026

Once a farrier's shop, Bygones Cocktail Bar, centered on a horseshoe bar, has romantic lighting, cocktails executed with joy and delight, and a laissez-faire atmosphere. — Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026

The city will also save on the cost of paying a farrier (an equine hoof care professional) and veterinary services. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English ferrour, from Anglo-French ferrour blacksmith, from ferrer to shoe (horses), from Vulgar Latin *ferrare, from Latin ferrum iron

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for farrier

• ferrier
• harrier
• merrier
• perrier
• terrier

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!