water buffalo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “water buffalo” mean?
A large Asian bovine animal (Bubalus bubalis), domesticated and used for farming tasks, especially in wet, swampy conditions like rice paddies.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large Asian bovine animal (Bubalus bubalis), domesticated and used for farming tasks, especially in wet, swampy conditions like rice paddies.
A general term for any of several species of large bovines adapted to swampy or riverine environments, including the wild Asian water buffalo and the domesticated varieties. Can also refer informally to robust, strong-willed people.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences, but 'water buffalo' is more likely to be encountered in British contexts related to former colonies (e.g., India).
Connotations
Connotes agrarian life, manual labor, and tropical/Asian settings equally in both variants.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British English due to historical colonial ties to South and Southeast Asia, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “water buffalo” in a Sentence
The [adjective] water buffalo [verb] [prepositional phrase].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “water buffalo” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The farmer decided to water buffalo the fields, meaning he used the animals to trample and prepare the soil.
American English
- In historical accounts, pioneers would sometimes 'buffalo' their way through a swamp, metaphorically evoking the animal's relentless force.
adjective
British English
- He had a water-buffalo stubbornness about him.
American English
- The truck had a water-buffalo-like ability to slog through the mud.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like agricultural trade, leather goods, or tourism.
Academic
Common in biology, agricultural science, anthropology, and environmental studies.
Everyday
Used in general descriptions of animals, travelogues, or documentaries.
Technical
Used in zoology, veterinary science, and agricultural engineering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “water buffalo”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “water buffalo”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “water buffalo”
- Confusing it with the American bison (often called 'buffalo' colloquially).
- Using plural 'water buffalos' (acceptable but less common than 'water buffalo').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) are native to Asia and are distinct from the American bison (Bison bison), though both are large bovines.
Yes. Water buffalo milk is richer in fat and protein than cow's milk and is used to make specific cheeses like Mozzarella di Bufala.
Wild water buffalo can be very dangerous and are considered one of the most dangerous big game animals. Domesticated ones are generally docile but powerful.
Historically and in many regions today, their primary use is as a draft animal for ploughing and transportation in wet, muddy terrain unsuitable for machinery.
A large Asian bovine animal (Bubalus bubalis), domesticated and used for farming tasks, especially in wet, swampy conditions like rice paddies.
Water buffalo is usually neutral in register.
Water buffalo: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwɔːtə ˌbʌfələʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwɑːtər ˌbʌfəloʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “strong as a water buffalo”
- “work like a water buffalo”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BUFFalo that loves WATER – it's perfectly suited for wet rice fields.
Conceptual Metaphor
STRENGTH IS BOVINE MASS (e.g., 'He has the strength of a water buffalo').
Practice
Quiz
Which of these animals is a 'water buffalo' most closely related to?