cow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A1Informal, Neutral, Technical (in farming contexts). The slang and verb uses are informal.
Quick answer
What does “cow” mean?
A large female animal kept on farms for its milk or meat.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large female animal kept on farms for its milk or meat; specifically, the mature female of cattle.
1) To intimidate someone into submission (verb). 2) A general, often derogatory, term for a woman, implying she is unpleasant, clumsy, or large (slang, offensive). 3) (North American) Used informally to refer to a domestic bovine animal of either sex.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In precise agricultural use, UK English more strictly distinguishes 'cow' (female that has calved) from 'heifer' (young female) and 'bull' (male). In informal American English, 'cow' can be used more generically for the animal. The verb 'to cow' is less common in contemporary everyday speech in both varieties.
Connotations
The slang usage for a woman is equally offensive in both varieties. The informal North American usage for any bovine can seem imprecise or childish to a UK agriculturalist.
Frequency
The noun is extremely high-frequency. The verb is mid-to-low frequency and somewhat literary. The slang is offensive and its use is declining.
Grammar
How to Use “cow” in a Sentence
Noun: The [ADJ] cow...Verb: to cow someone (into doing something)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cow” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The headmaster's stern demeanour was enough to cow even the most rebellious pupils.
- He felt cowed by the board's unanimous disapproval.
American English
- The prosecutor tried to cow the witness with aggressive questioning.
- They refused to be cowed by the threats.
adverb
British English
- N/A (No adverb form.)
American English
- N/A (No adverb form.)
adjective
British English
- N/A (No standard adjective form. 'Cow' is not used as an adjective.)
American English
- N/A (No standard adjective form. 'Cow' is not used as an adjective.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'The new product line became a real cash cow for the company.' (Metaphorical use)
Academic
'The researchers studied the methane emissions from a herd of Holstein-Friesian cows.'
Everyday
'We need to buy some more cow's milk from the shop.'
Technical
'The primiparous cow showed signs of ketosis post-calving.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cow”
- Using 'cow' for a bull (in precise contexts). Confusing 'cow' (animal) with 'calf' (baby animal).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In precise biological and farming contexts, no. A male is a 'bull' or a 'steer'. However, in informal North American English, especially among children, 'cow' is sometimes used for the animal without specifying gender.
Yes. Referring to a woman as a 'cow' is a derogatory slang term, implying she is unpleasant, slow, clumsy, or overweight. It is considered rude and insulting.
'Cattle' is a plural, collective noun for the animals as a group (e.g., 'a herd of cattle'). 'Cow' is a singular, countable noun for one female animal (e.g., 'That cow is black and white'). You cannot say 'one cattle'.
It means to cause someone to submit or be intimidated through fear or force. Example: 'The dictator's brutality cowed the opposition.' It is unrelated to the animal in meaning and is derived from an Old Norse word for 'to tyrannise'.
A large female animal kept on farms for its milk or meat.
Cow is usually informal, neutral, technical (in farming contexts). the slang and verb uses are informal. in register.
Cow: in British English it is pronounced /kaʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /kaʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “till the cows come home”
- “a sacred cow”
- “cash cow”
- “why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound a cow makes: 'COW' sounds like the 'OU' in 'loud' - a cow can be quite loud when it MOOs.
Conceptual Metaphor
LARGE/CLUMSY/STUPID ENTITY IS A COW (e.g., 'Don't be such a cow!', 'He cowed them into silence' relates to DOMINATION IS ANIMAL SUBJUGATION).
Practice
Quiz
In a strict agricultural sense, what is a 'cow'?