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Unicorn vs. Pony: What's the Difference?

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 3, 2023
Unicorn refers to a mythical horse-like creature with a single horn, while a Pony is a real, small-sized breed of horse.

Key Differences

Unicorn and Pony are both terms closely tied to the world of equines, yet they represent distinctly different entities. The Unicorn, immersed in the world of myth and legend, is often depicted as a majestic horse with a singular, spiral horn projecting from its forehead. This horn, along with its often-depicted white coat, grants it an aura of purity and magic. In contrast, the Pony stands firmly in the realm of reality. A Pony is essentially a small horse, distinguished not just by its size, but also by certain physiological traits.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
Though both might captivate the imaginations of many, especially children, their domains of influence are divergent. Unicorns, due to their mythical status, frequently grace tales of fantasy, embodying ideals of innocence, beauty, and sometimes, immense power. The Pony, on the other hand, has tangible applications in the real world. Ponies are often first introductions to horse riding for children or are seen working in various capacities, from farming to competitive sports.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
It's intriguing how both these entities, the Unicorn and the Pony, have carved niches in popular culture. Unicorns have been popularized in movies, books, and even modern startups (where "unicorn" denotes a startup valued at over a billion dollars). Ponies, with their real-world charm, have dedicated fan bases too, as seen in equestrian sports or shows centered around them.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
In essence, while the Unicorn reigns supreme in a world of magic, mysticism, and fantasy, the Pony trots comfortably in the fields of reality. Both, however, have left indelible hoofprints on the hearts of many, proving that whether real or mythical, equines have a special place in human history and culture.
Sara Rehman
Oct 03, 2023

Comparison Chart

Reality

Mythical creature
Real animal
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Oct 03, 2023
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Primary Features

Single horn on forehead
Small size, specific physical traits
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Cultural Significance

Symbolizes purity, magic
Represents real-world equine charm
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Usage in Modern Context

Refers to billion-dollar startups
Used in equestrian contexts
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Oct 03, 2023

Representation in Stories

Central to fantasy tales
Often in children’s stories, equestrian events
Janet White
Oct 03, 2023

Unicorn and Pony Definitions

Unicorn

A symbol of purity and innocence.
The princess was often represented by a unicorn in ancient tales.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 03, 2023
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Pony

A child's initial introduction to horse riding.
He got his first pony ride at the county fair.
Sara Rehman
Oct 03, 2023

Unicorn

An embodiment of fantasy and magic.
Wizards and unicorns often coexist in fantasy realms.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Pony

A horse of any of several stocky breeds that are small in size when full grown, such as the Shetland pony.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

A rarity or something unique.
Finding such a treasure is like spotting a unicorn.
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Oct 03, 2023

Pony

(Informal) A racehorse.
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Oct 04, 2022
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Unicorn

A startup valued at over $1 billion.
The tech industry is always on the lookout for the next unicorn.
Sara Rehman
Oct 03, 2023

Pony

(Sports) A polo horse.
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

A fabled creature symbolic of virginity and usually represented as a horse with a single straight spiral horn projecting from its forehead.
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

Something small for its kind, especially a small glass for beer or liqueur.
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Oct 04, 2022

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.
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Oct 04, 2022

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.
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

Unicorn The constellation Monoceros.
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Pony

Chiefly British The sum of 25 pounds.
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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).
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

To lead (a horse) with another horse.
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Unicorn

(Business) A startup company valued at one billion dollars or more.
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

A small horse; specifically, any of several small breeds of horse under 14.2 hands at the withers.
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

A mythical beast resembling a horse or deer with a single, straight, spiraled horn projecting from its forehead.
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

A contraption built like a mount, strong enough to support one's weight
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

(historical) In various Bible translations, used to render the Latin rhinoceros (representing Hebrew ):}} a reem or wild ox.
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

(regional) A small serving of an alcoholic beverage, especially beer.
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

Any large beetle having a horn-like prominence on the head or prothorax, especially the Hercules beetle, Dynastes tityus.
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

A serving of 140 millilitres of beer (formerly 5 fl oz); a quarter pint.
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

A caterpillar, Schizura unicornis, with a large thorn-like spine on the back near its head.
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Pony

Twenty-five pounds sterling.
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

The kamichi, or unicorn bird.
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

A translation used as a study aid; loosely, a crib, a cheat-sheet.
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

(military) A howitzer.
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

(slang) A ponytail hairstyle.
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

Someone or something that is rare and hard to find.
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

One horsepower.
How many ponies are under the hood?
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

A single, usually bisexual woman who participates in swinging or polyamory.
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Pony

(slang) A chorus girl of small stature.
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Oct 04, 2022

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
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2022

Pony

Ellipsis of Sony pony
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Oct 04, 2022

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.
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

(Cockney rhyming slang) Crap; rubbish, nonsense.
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

(attributive) Being many (especially pastel) colours; multicoloured.
Unicorn smoothies
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

(transitive) To lead (a horse) from another horse.
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

(historical) A 15th-century Scottish gold coin worth 18 shillings, bearing the image of a unicorn.
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Pony

To use a crib or cheat-sheet in translating.
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

(sexual slang) To participate in a sexual threesome as a bisexual addition to an established heterosexual couple.
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

(Cockney rhyming slang) Of little worth.
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Unicorn

(finance) To exceed a valuation of one billion U.S. dollars, while solely backed by venture capitalists.
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

A small horse.
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Unicorn

Having one horn.
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Pony

Twenty-five pounds sterling.
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

A fabulous animal with one horn; the monoceros; - often represented in heraldry as a supporter.
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

A translation or a key used to avoid study in getting lessons; a crib; a trot.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2022

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?
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

A small glass of beer.
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

Any large beetle having a hornlike prominence on the head or prothorax.
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

A range horse of the western United States
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

The kamichi; - called also unicorn bird.
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

An informal term for a racehorse;
He liked to bet on the ponies
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

A howitzer.
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

A literal translation used in studying a foreign language (often used illicitly)
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

An imaginary creature represented as a white horse with a long horn growing from its forehead
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

A small glass adequate to hold a single swallow of whiskey
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Oct 04, 2022

Unicorn

A mythical horse-like creature with a single horn.
Legends say that the unicorn could heal with its horn.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Pony

Any of various breeds of small gentle horses usually less than five feet high at the shoulder
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Oct 04, 2022

Pony

A small horse with distinct physiological traits.
She rode her pony through the meadow.
Sara Rehman
Oct 03, 2023

Pony

Used to denote a small amount, especially money.
I don't have a pony to spare for that luxury.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 03, 2023

Pony

A term for a small glass of beer.
He ordered a pony of ale at the bar.
Sara Rehman
Oct 03, 2023

Pony

Informally, to provide or pay (often used with "up").
He had to pony up the money he owed.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

FAQs

Is every small horse a pony?

No, ponies have specific traits, not just size.
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Oct 03, 2023

Can a pony ever have a horn like a unicorn?

Naturally, no. However, some festive decorations might add a horn for fun.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Where did the concept of unicorns originate?

Unicorns appear in various ancient cultures, with no single point of origin.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Are unicorns real like ponies?

No, unicorns are mythical creatures, while ponies are real animals.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Can adults ride ponies?

Yes, but it depends on the pony's size and the rider's weight.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 03, 2023

Why is a billion-dollar startup called a unicorn?

Because they're rare and special, much like the mythical creature.
Janet White
Oct 03, 2023

Do ponies live as long as horses?

Generally, yes. With care, some ponies can live into their 30s.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Is a pony just a young horse?

No, ponies are a type of horse, distinguished by size and other traits.
Harlon Moss
Oct 03, 2023

Do unicorns have wings?

Some tales depict winged unicorns, called "alicorns."
Janet White
Oct 03, 2023

Are all unicorns depicted as white?

Mostly, but variations exist in different cultures and stories.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Can you ride a pony like a regular horse?

Yes, though they're often suited for younger or smaller riders.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

How does the depiction of unicorns vary across cultures?

Shapes, sizes, and attributes can differ, though the horn is consistent.
Sara Rehman
Oct 03, 2023

What tasks are ponies used for?

Riding, sports, farming, therapy, and more.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 03, 2023

Are there modern tales centered on unicorns?

Yes, many books, movies, and shows feature unicorns.
Sara Rehman
Oct 03, 2023

What's the significance of a unicorn's horn?

Often believed to have magical or healing properties in legends.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

What's the ideal age to start riding a pony?

It varies, but many kids start with supervised rides around age 4-7.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Is "pony up" related to the animal?

Not directly. It's an informal phrase meaning to pay or settle a debt.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Are ponies easier to manage than larger horses?

It varies, but ponies can be as spirited or calm as larger horses.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Are unicorns ever portrayed as evil?

Rarely, but variations exist where they're not purely benevolent.
Janet White
Oct 03, 2023

How are unicorns and ponies portrayed in pop culture?

Unicorns are often magical and majestic, while ponies are real and relatable.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma Saeed
Huma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.

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