cow

1 of 2

noun

ˈkau̇

plural cows

Synonyms of cow next

: the mature female of cattle (genus Bos)

: the mature female of various usually large animals (such as an elephant, whale, or moose)

: a domestic bovine animal regardless of sex or age

informal, disparaging + offensive : an unpleasant, annoying, or vacuous woman

cowy

ˈkau̇-ē

adjective

Illustration of cow

1 hoof
2 pastern
3 dewclaw
4 switch
5 hock
6 rear udder
7 flank
8 thigh
9 tail
10 pinbone
11 tail head
12 thurl
13 hip
14 barrel
15 ribs
16 crops
17 withers
18 heart girth
19 neck
20 horn
21 poll
22 forehead
23 bridge of nose
24 muzzle
25 jaw
26 throat
27 point of shoulder
28 dewlap
29 point of elbow
30 brisket
31 chest floor
32 knee
33 milk well
34 milk vein
35 fore udder
36 teats
37 rump
38 loin

cow

2 of 2

verb

cowed; cowing; cows

transitive verb

: to destroy the resolve or courage of

also : to bring to a state or an action by intimidation

—used with into

… like too many Asian armies, adept at cowing a population into feeding them … —

Edward Lansdale

cowedly

ˈkau̇(-ə)d-lē

adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for cow

intimidate, cow, bulldoze, bully, browbeat mean to frighten into submission.

intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another.

intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost.

not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business

bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior.

bullied into giving up their lunch money

browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

Examples of cow in a Sentence

Noun The cows need to be milked twice a day. Verb I refuse to be cowed by their threats. a sharp glare cowed the child into being quiet

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

According to their owner, Little Buckets Farm Sanctuary founder Susan Klingenberg, the two pals grew up together and still love to play together and groom each other, even though the cow is now over 1,000 pounds larger than her canine buddy. —

Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 17 Jan. 2023 The Illinois State Fair’s butter cow is back in all its creamy glory. —

Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2022

Verb

The decisions by the Times and the Post have raised fears that media publishers, preparing for the possibility of a second Trump Administration, are being cowed by him. —

Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2024 The Georgian populace has long since been cowed by Moscow’s carrot and stick message. —

Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cow

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English cou, from Old English cū; akin to Old High German kuo cow, Latin bos head of cattle, Greek bous, Sanskrit go

Verb

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish kue to subdue

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1581, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of cow was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cow. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

cow

1 of 2 noun

ˈkau̇

: the adult female of cattle or of any of various usually large animals (as elephants, whales, or seals)

: any domestic bovine animal regardless of sex or age

cow

2 of 2 verb

: to lessen the spirits or courage of : frighten

were cowed into silence by threats

Etymology

Noun

Old English cū "cow"

Verb

probably of Scandinavian origin

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

paroxysm

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

cow

noun

Illustration of cow

verb

Synonyms

Examples of cow in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near cow

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition