rooster
B1Neutral to informal; standard in American English, less common in British English.
Definition
Meaning
An adult male chicken, especially one kept for breeding or as a farm animal.
A person who is proud, confident, or boastful; a symbol of morning or dawn; a weathervane shaped like a rooster.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to the male of the domestic fowl. In American English, it is the standard term. In British English, 'cock' is the traditional term, but 'rooster' is understood and increasingly used, partly to avoid the vulgar slang meaning of 'cock'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'cock' is the traditional, standard term for the male chicken. 'Rooster' is an Americanism that is understood and used, but 'cock' remains more common in formal or rural contexts. In American English, 'rooster' is the standard, neutral term; 'cock' is considered old-fashioned, technical, or potentially vulgar.
Connotations
In AmE: neutral, rural, farm-related. In BrE: can sound slightly American or deliberately euphemistic. 'Cock' in BrE has strong rural/agricultural connotations but also a common vulgar slang meaning.
Frequency
High frequency in AmE. Medium-to-low frequency in BrE, where 'cock' is more frequent, though 'rooster' is gaining ground.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The rooster crows at dawn.They keep a rooster for the hens.He strutted like a rooster.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cock of the walk (though uses 'cock')”
- “rise with the rooster”
- “as proud as a rooster”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in poultry farming or related industries.
Academic
Used in biology/agriculture texts; 'cock' may be used in technical taxonomy.
Everyday
Common in AmE for describing farm animals or as a metaphor for boastfulness.
Technical
In poultry science, both 'rooster' and 'cock' are used, with regional preference.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A as verb
American English
- N/A as verb
adverb
British English
- N/A as adverb
American English
- N/A as adverb
adjective
British English
- N/A as adjective
American English
- N/A as adjective
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The rooster wakes us up every morning.
- I saw a big red rooster on the farm.
- Their rooster crows at sunrise without fail.
- He was as proud as a rooster after winning the game.
- The old farmer explained that a good rooster is essential for a healthy flock.
- Her confidence made her the rooster of the social group, always leading the conversation.
- The rooster's persistent crowing, a symbol of agrarian life, contrasted sharply with the city's silence.
- Politicians often rooster about their achievements, but deliver little of substance.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a ROOSTER ROOST-ing on a fence post, crowing. The word sounds like 'roost' + '-er' (one who roosts).
Conceptual Metaphor
PROUD/BOASTFUL PERSON IS A ROOSTER (e.g., 'He strutted like a rooster'). MORNING/DAWN IS SIGNALLED BY A ROOSTER.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'roster' (список, график). The Russian 'петух' translates directly to 'cock' in BrE, but 'rooster' is the safer AmE equivalent to avoid awkwardness.
Common Mistakes
- Spelling: 'roster' vs. 'rooster'. Using 'rooster' in very formal British writing where 'cock' might be expected. Using 'chicken' to mean specifically a rooster (chicken is general).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'rooster' the most common and neutral term for a male chicken?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Rooster' is the standard American English term. 'Cock' is the traditional British English term, though 'rooster' is understood. 'Cock' also has a common vulgar slang meaning, making 'rooster' a safer choice in many international contexts.
Typically, 'rooster' refers to an adult. A young male chicken is more specifically called a 'cockerel'.
No, it is not wrong. It is perfectly understood and is increasingly used to avoid the potential ambiguity of the word 'cock'. However, in traditional or rural British contexts, 'cock' may still be more common.
A person who is very proud, confident, or boastful is often compared to a rooster, e.g., 'He strutted into the room like a proud rooster'.