Unicorn vs. Pony — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 30, 2023
A unicorn is a mythical creature with a single horn, while a pony is a small, real horse breed.
Difference Between Unicorn and Pony
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Unicorns are creatures of myth, often depicted with a single spiraled horn on their forehead. Ponies, on the other hand, are real, small horse breeds known for their sturdy build.
The unicorn is a symbol of purity and grace in many cultures. In contrast, ponies are valued for their practicality, especially for children's riding due to their size and temperament.
Unicorns have been a part of folklore and literature for centuries, often seen as magical and elusive. Ponies, while lacking magical attributes, are recognized for their hardiness and ability to work in various environments.
The concept of a unicorn transcends culture, being present in various mythologies and stories. Ponies, however, are defined by breed standards and are recognized in equestrianism.
While unicorns are often associated with magical powers and fantasy, ponies are appreciated for their real-world usefulness, especially in farming and riding.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Mythical
Real
Defining Feature
Single horn on the forehead
Small stature
Cultural Symbolism
Purity, magic, rarity
Practicality, suitability for children
Presence
Folklore, fantasy
Real world, equestrianism
Associations
Magical powers, fantasy
Hardiness, versatility
Compare with Definitions
Unicorn
Symbol of purity and grace in mythology.
The tapestry depicted a unicorn in a forest.
Pony
A small horse used for various tasks.
The pony carried supplies over the rugged terrain.
Unicorn
The unicorn is a legendary creature that has been described since antiquity as a beast with a single large, pointed, spiraling horn projecting from its forehead. The unicorn was mentioned by the ancient Greeks in accounts of natural history by various writers, including Ctesias, Strabo, Pliny the Younger, Aelian and Cosmas Indicopleustes.
Pony
A breed of horse recognized in equestrianism.
He competed in the pony class at the equestrian event.
Unicorn
A creature of fantasy and folklore.
Unicorns are often featured in children's fairy tales.
Pony
A pony is a small horse (Equus ferus caballus). Depending on the context, a pony may be a horse that is under an approximate or exact height at the withers or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament.
Unicorn
A fabled creature symbolic of virginity and usually represented as a horse with a single straight spiral horn projecting from its forehead.
Pony
A horse of any of several stocky breeds that are small in size when full grown, such as the Shetland pony.
Unicorn
(Heraldry) A representation of this beast, having a horse's body, a stag's legs, a lion's tail, and a straight spiral horn growing from its forehead, especially employed as a supporter for the Royal Arms of Great Britain or of Scotland.
Pony
(Informal) A racehorse.
Unicorn
Unicorn The constellation Monoceros.
Pony
(Sports) A polo horse.
Unicorn
Something that is greatly desired but difficult or impossible to find
“Is antigravity the unicorn of physics? Or do we simply lack the strategy and bait to catch it in an experimental snare?” (Jerome Groopman).
Pony
Something small for its kind, especially a small glass for beer or liqueur.
Unicorn
(Business) A startup company valued at one billion dollars or more.
Pony
A word-for-word translation of a foreign language text, especially one used as an aid in studying or test-taking. Also called crib, trot.
Unicorn
A mythical beast resembling a horse or deer with a single, straight, spiraled horn projecting from its forehead.
Pony
Chiefly British The sum of 25 pounds.
Unicorn
(historical) In various Bible translations, used to render the Latin rhinoceros (representing Hebrew ):}} a reem or wild ox.
Pony
To lead (a horse) with another horse.
Unicorn
Any large beetle having a horn-like prominence on the head or prothorax, especially the Hercules beetle, Dynastes tityus.
Pony
A small horse; specifically, any of several small breeds of horse under 14.2 hands at the withers.
Unicorn
A caterpillar, Schizura unicornis, with a large thorn-like spine on the back near its head.
Pony
A contraption built like a mount, strong enough to support one's weight
Unicorn
The kamichi, or unicorn bird.
Pony
(regional) A small serving of an alcoholic beverage, especially beer.
Unicorn
(military) A howitzer.
Pony
A serving of 140 millilitres of beer (formerly 5 fl oz); a quarter pint.
Unicorn
Someone or something that is rare and hard to find.
Pony
Twenty-five pounds sterling.
Unicorn
A single, usually bisexual woman who participates in swinging or polyamory.
Pony
A translation used as a study aid; loosely, a crib, a cheat-sheet.
Unicorn
(business) A person with multidisciplinary expertise, especially three or more skills in a young field such as UX design or data science (e.g., domain knowledge, statistics, and software engineering).
Purple squirrel
Pony
(slang) A ponytail hairstyle.
Unicorn
(finance) A startup company whose valuation has exceeded one billion U.S. dollars, which is solely backed by venture capitalists, and which has yet to have an IPO.
Pony
One horsepower.
How many ponies are under the hood?
Unicorn
(attributive) Being many (especially pastel) colours; multicoloured.
Unicorn smoothies
Pony
(slang) A chorus girl of small stature.
Unicorn
(historical) A 15th-century Scottish gold coin worth 18 shillings, bearing the image of a unicorn.
Pony
Ellipsis of Sony pony
Unicorn
(sexual slang) To participate in a sexual threesome as a bisexual addition to an established heterosexual couple.
Pony
(Cockney rhyming slang) Crap; rubbish, nonsense.
Unicorn
(finance) To exceed a valuation of one billion U.S. dollars, while solely backed by venture capitalists.
Pony
(transitive) To lead (a horse) from another horse.
Unicorn
Having one horn.
Pony
To use a crib or cheat-sheet in translating.
Unicorn
A fabulous animal with one horn; the monoceros; - often represented in heraldry as a supporter.
Pony
(Cockney rhyming slang) Of little worth.
Unicorn
A two-horned animal of some unknown kind, so called in the Authorized Version of the Scriptures.
Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow?
Pony
A small horse.
Unicorn
Any large beetle having a hornlike prominence on the head or prothorax.
Pony
Twenty-five pounds sterling.
Unicorn
The kamichi; - called also unicorn bird.
Pony
A translation or a key used to avoid study in getting lessons; a crib; a trot.
Unicorn
A howitzer.
Pony
A small glass of beer.
Unicorn
An imaginary creature represented as a white horse with a long horn growing from its forehead
Pony
A range horse of the western United States
Unicorn
A mythical animal typically represented with a horse's body and a single spiraled horn.
She read a story about a unicorn saving a kingdom.
Pony
An informal term for a racehorse;
He liked to bet on the ponies
Unicorn
An emblem of rarity or uniqueness.
In business, a highly successful startup is called a unicorn.
Pony
A literal translation used in studying a foreign language (often used illicitly)
Unicorn
A legendary creature often seen in art and literature.
The medieval manuscript had an illustration of a unicorn.
Pony
A small glass adequate to hold a single swallow of whiskey
Pony
Any of various breeds of small gentle horses usually less than five feet high at the shoulder
Pony
A small breed of horse.
The child learned to ride on a Shetland pony.
Pony
Equine known for its sturdy build.
The farmer used a pony to pull the cart.
Pony
A horse breed suitable for children.
For her birthday, she received a pony ride.
Common Curiosities
Is a unicorn a real animal?
No, unicorns are mythical creatures.
How large is a typical pony?
Ponies are generally under 14.2 hands (58 inches) tall.
Where did the idea of unicorns originate?
Unicorns appear in various ancient mythologies and folklore.
Are there different breeds of ponies?
Yes, there are several breeds, such as Shetland and Welsh ponies.
Can unicorns be different colors in stories?
Yes, they can be depicted in various colors, though white is most common.
Do ponies require special care?
Like all horses, they require proper feeding, grooming, and exercise.
What does a unicorn symbolize?
It often symbolizes purity, grace, and rarity.
Do unicorns have any special powers in mythology?
Often, they are depicted with magical or healing powers.
Can ponies be used for work?
Yes, they're often used for light work and riding.
Can ponies be kept as pets?
They can, but they require adequate space and care.
Do unicorns often appear in children's literature?
Yes, they are a popular subject in children's books and fairy tales.
Are ponies suitable for beginners in riding?
Yes, due to their size and temperament, they're often used for children's riding lessons.
Are ponies intelligent?
Yes, they are known for their intelligence and sometimes stubborn nature.
Is the unicorn a national animal of any country?
Yes, it's the national animal of Scotland.
Has the unicorn been important in art history?
Yes, unicorns have been featured in various artworks throughout history.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
