cow

1 of 2

noun

ˈkau̇ 

plural cows

1

a

: the mature female of cattle (genus Bos)

b

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

c

: a domestic bovine animal regardless of sex or age

2

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

Synonyms of cow

Verb

• intimidate
• bully
• frighten
• scare
• badger
• startle

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

Noun

The Green Mountains, hay bales, cows, and barns immediately calmed my mind and gave the kids a place to run around and have fun. — Jaclyn Greenberg, Parents, 29 June 2026

Other supplements come in gelatin capsules, made from collagen derived from cow and pig bones and hides, or mixed with dairy binders such as lactose and sodium caseinate. — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Verb

Perhaps cowed by Concerned Parents’ aggression, the board voted in 1972 to remove from classrooms Mike Royko’s book Boss, an exposé of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. — Literary Hub, 25 June 2026

Instead, several of Kendall’s key allies are cowed by Logan’s intimidating presence — even Roman buckles under the pressure — and the media titan declares victory. — Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing cow

• ant cow
• cash cow
• cow college
• cow horse
• cow parsnip
• cow pie
• cow pony
• cow town
• giant cow parsley
• giant cow parsnip
• have a cow
• holy cow
• mad cow disease
• sacred cow
• sea cow
• Steller's sea cow

Rhymes for cow

• bao
• bough
• brow
• chow
• ciao
• clow
• dao
• dow
• frau
• hao
• hau
• how

Kids Definition

cow

1 of 2 noun

ˈkau̇ 

1

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

2

: 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