Definition

A fast-running animal that looks like an antelope, found mainly in the grasslands and deserts of western North America, known for its unique forked horns.

Example

The pronghorn can run at high speeds to escape predators.

Conversation

I saw a pronghorn while driving through the plains yesterday.

Really? Those animals are so fast and graceful!

Yeah, I was amazed at how quickly it dashed away.

They can run up to 60 miles per hour — it's impressive!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'pronghorn' is formed from 'prong' (from Middle English 'pronge', meaning a fork or projection) and 'horn' (from Old English 'horn', meaning a hard, pointed projection). The term describes an animal with forked horns, specifically the pronghorn antelope, known for its distinctive antlers.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'fork' ('prong') and a 'hard projection' ('horn') to remember that a pronghorn is an animal with forked horns.

Visually Confused Words