bovine

1 of 2

adjective

bo·​vine ˈbō-ˌvīn  -ˌvēn 

1

: of, relating to, or resembling bovines and especially the ox or cow

a bovine disease

2

: having qualities (such as placidity or dullness) characteristic of oxen or cows

had a stupid, bovine expression on his face

bovinely adverb

bovinity

bō-ˈvi-nə-tē 

noun

bovine

2 of 2

noun

biology : any of a subfamily (Bovinae) of bovids including oxen, bison, buffalo, and their close relatives

Did you know?

Bovine comes from the Latin word for "cow", though the biological family called the Bovidae actually includes not only cows and oxen but also goats, sheep, bison, and buffalo. So bovine is often used technically, when discussing "bovine diseases", "bovine anatomy", and so on. It can also describe a human personality, though it can be a rather unkind way to describe someone. When Hera, the wife of Zeus, is called "cow-eyed", though, it's definitely a compliment, and Zeus fairly melts when she turns those big bovine eyes on him.

Examples of bovine in a Sentence

Adjective

She stared at us with a stupid, bovine expression.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced the detection of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in a cattle herd in Alcona County, which is part of Michigan's Modified Accredited Zone (MAZ). — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Petunia had a bovine form of maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), a life-threatening condition that is also unusually prevalent within the Mennonite community here. — Jason Mast, STAT, 27 Oct. 2026

Noun

Petunia was suffering from a bovine form of maple syrup urine disease, a life-threatening condition unusually prevalent in Pennsylvania’s Mennonite community. — Amanda Erickson, STAT, 27 Oct. 2026

And in Harney County, where bovines outnumber the people – by a lot - there's many mouths to feed. — Anna King, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Late Latin bovinus, from Latin bov-, bos ox, cow — more at cow

First Known Use

Adjective

1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1839, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bovine

• bovine spongiform encephalopathy

Rhymes for bovine

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• brucine
• byline
• canine

Kids Definition

bovine

1 of 2 adjective

bo·​vine ˈbō-ˌvīn 

-ˌvēn

1

: of, relating to, or resembling the bovines and especially the ox or cow

2

: slow-moving or patient like an ox or cow

bovine

2 of 2 noun

: any of a group of ruminant mammals including the oxen, bison, and buffalo that have hollow horns and are related to the sheep and goats

Medical Definition

bovine

noun

bo·​vine ˈbō-ˌvīn  -ˌvēn 

: an ox (genus Bos) or a closely related animal

bovine adjective