cow
word
Definition
A cow is an adult female farm animal kept for milk or meat. In everyday English, people also sometimes use it loosely to mean cattle in general.
Usage & Nuances
Technically, 'cow' means an adult female bovine; the male is a 'bull' and the young one is a 'calf'. In casual speech, people may say 'cow' when they really mean any bovine animal. Common collocations include 'milk cow', 'dairy cow', and 'sacred cow' (an idea or custom people do not want to criticize). In British informal use, calling a woman 'a cow' is insulting.
Example Sentences
Don't call her a cow — that's really rude.
natural
The cow is eating grass in the field.
basic
My uncle has a cow on his farm.
basic
That black and white cow gives a lot of milk.
basic
We got stuck behind a cow on the road for ten minutes.
natural
For them, that old rule is a sacred cow nobody wants to question.
natural