sheep: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
High (A2)Neutral, with technical uses in computing/biology.
Quick answer
What does “sheep” mean?
A domesticated ruminant mammal with a thick woolly coat, typically raised for wool, meat, and milk.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A domesticated ruminant mammal with a thick woolly coat, typically raised for wool, meat, and milk.
A person who is timid, easily led, or conforms without question; used as a metaphor for followers or a congregation in religious contexts; in computing, an emoji or a tool for network security testing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The farming term 'mutton' (meat from sheep) is used in both, though less common in everyday US speech.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties: docility, flock mentality, wool production.
Frequency
Equally frequent, given its status as a basic animal term and its metaphorical uses.
Grammar
How to Use “sheep” in a Sentence
flock of + sheepsheep + that/who + clausesheep + verb (grazes, bleats)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sheep” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The farmer will sheep the new pasture next week.
adjective
British English
- He had a sheep-like expression.
American English
- The sheep industry is important there.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific industries (agriculture, textiles).
Academic
Common in biology/zoology; metaphorical use in social sciences.
Everyday
Very common for the animal and the metaphor for blind conformity.
Technical
In biology: Ovis aries. In computing: 'Sheep' as a honeypot tool or emoji (🐑).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sheep”
- Adding plural 's' (*sheeps)
- Confusing 'sheep' (animal) with 'ship' (boat) in pronunciation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'sheep' is both singular and plural. 'Sheeps' is always an error.
'Sheep' is the animal. 'Lamb' is a young sheep or its meat. 'Mutton' is the meat from an adult sheep.
Mostly yes, as it implies they are mindless followers. In religious contexts ('my sheep'), it can be neutral or positive.
It originates from the idea that a black sheep's wool was less valuable, making it the 'odd one out' in a flock, hence a disgrace to the family.
A domesticated ruminant mammal with a thick woolly coat, typically raised for wool, meat, and milk.
Sheep is usually neutral, with technical uses in computing/biology. in register.
Sheep: in British English it is pronounced /ʃiːp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃiːp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the black sheep of the family”
- “like sheep to the slaughter”
- “separate the sheep from the goats”
- “count sheep”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SHEEP sleep (when you count them). Both words have a long 'ee' sound and are associated with bedtime.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEOPLE ARE SHEEP (implying mindless following, lack of individuality).
Practice
Quiz
What is the correct plural form of 'sheep'?