cow
- 1A large farm animal kept for milk or meat. Strictly it is the female, but it is often used for any cattle.
The kids counted cows out the car window on the long drive.
A big black cow was standing in the middle of the road.
UsageSay cattle for a group of cows; it has no -s.
Note
- 2To frighten someone so much that they lose their courage.
Like a dog that hides under the table when someone yells.
The bullies tried to cow the younger kids into silence.
Harsh punishments cow workers into doing whatever they are told.
UsageOften used as be cowed by someone or something: She refused to be cowed by their threats.
Similarintimidate, daunt, bully, browbeat, menace
Oppositeembolden
Note
- 3The female of some large animals besides farm cattle, such as elephants, whales, moose, and seals.
The cow elephant guarded her calf from a pride of lions.
Whalers once hunted the cow and her calf together.
UsageSay a cow elephant or a cow whale. The male is a bull.
Note
Less common meanings
- 4A rude, insulting word for a woman seen as nasty, stupid, lazy, or hard to deal with.
Mum called the woman next door a nosy old cow after they argued about the fence.
Don't be such a cow about it and just share the cake.
UsageUsually used with an adjective, like silly cow or stupid cow.
Note
- 5The meat from cattle, eaten as food.
We split a big slab of cow, grilled medium rare.
The stew was full of tender pieces of cow.
Similarbeef
- 6
- 7A third-year student at the West Point military school in the United States.
- 8In mining, a wedge or block used to stop a machine or a mine cart from moving.
- 9A cap or cover fitted on top of a chimney to improve airflow.
- 10A rare, very bright blue flash in space that fades fast, seen by astronomers.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origins
The old English word for a female farm animal, going all the way back to very ancient languages.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- The word continues Old English cū, meaning cow. en.wiktionary.org
- The word has ancestry extending through ancient languages to Proto-Indo-European. en.wikipedia.org
Probably comes from an Old Norse word kúga meaning "to oppress."
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- The verb cow probably derives from Old Norse kúga. en.wiktionary.org
- Old Norse kúga meant to oppress. en.wiktionary.org