What does stirrup mean?
Word: Stirrup
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Stirrup means a metal loop hanging from each side of a saddle, which holds a rider's foot.
How do you spell stirrup?
Syllables: stir - rup
Tricky part: The second syllable is very weak, so pupils guess at op, ap or ip. It is up.
Watch out for: stirrop, stirrap, stirrip
Memory tip: Your foot goes up into a stirrup, and those same two letters close the word.
Stirrup in a sentence
Example 1: Priya checked the length of each stirrup before her riding lesson.
Example 2: His boot slipped out of the stirrup as the pony trotted away.
Example 3: Keep your heel down and your toes in the stirrup.
Fun Fact
A tiny bone deep inside the human ear is known as the stirrup because of its shape. It is the smallest bone in the body.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
One of these words is spelt right. Pick the meaning of that word.
1. stirrup 2. galopp 3. brydle 4. harnes
a) the ring a rider rests a boot in
b) the set of straps that ties a horse to a cart
c) the leather straps fitted over a horse's head
d) the fastest pace of a horse
Show answer
a) the ring a rider rests a boot in. Bridle, harness and gallop are the true spellings of the other three.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
stierrup
a) i
b) t
c) e
d) r
Show answer
c) e. The first syllable is the verb stir, with no second vowel beside the i.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
At the riding school near Nainital, our patient instructor showed the beginners how to place one foot in the stirup before swinging gently up on to the waiting pony's back.
a) stirup
b) swinging
c) beginners
d) instructor
Show answer
a) stirup. The consonant between the two vowels needs doubling here.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What do stirrups mainly help a rider to do?
a) steer the horse left and right
b) stay balanced in the saddle
c) slow the horse before a jump
d) keep the horse's head still
Show answer
b) stay balanced in the saddle
2. Which shape comes closest to a stirrup?
a) a long, straight metal rod
b) a solid square wooden block
c) a thin, flat round disc
d) a narrow arch with a flat base
Show answer
d) a narrow arch with a flat base
