buckaroo

noun

buck·​a·​roo ˌbə-kə-ˈrü How to pronounce buckaroo (audio)
ˈbə-kə-ˌrü
variants or less commonly buckeroo
plural buckaroos also buckeroos

Examples of buckaroo in a Sentence

a rip-roaring buckaroo of the Old West
Recent Examples on the Web The group disqualifies him, however, after researchers discover his buckaroo abilities are limited to wearing expensive Stetson hats and tripping on his lasso. Gustavo Arellanocolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2022 But given their wild ways, these buggy buckaroos might be worth the trip. Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian, 16 Dec. 2019 Buckle up, buckaroos, for the 70th annual Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo. Don Maines, Houston Chronicle, 12 Sep. 2019 Diplo no doubt appears at home in the buckaroo aesthetic. Vogue, 26 Apr. 2019 This One Mistake Can Send Home Buyers Running So, should every home be listed for a single buckaroo? Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 15 May 2018 Buckaroos are skilled equestrians hired to move cows for ranchers, mainly in northern California, Idaho, Oregon and parts of Washington. Tim Woodward, idahostatesman, 8 June 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'buckaroo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably by folk etymology from Spanish vaquero, from vaca cow, from Latin vacca — more at vaccine

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of buckaroo was in 1827

Dictionary Entries Near buckaroo

Cite this Entry

“Buckaroo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buckaroo. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

buckaroo

noun
buck·​a·​roo ˌbək-ə-ˈrü How to pronounce buckaroo (audio)
ˈbək-ə-ˌrü
plural buckaroos
: cowboy
Etymology

an altered form of Spanish vaquero "cowboy," from vaca "cow," from Latin vacca "cow" — related to vaccine, vaquero see Word History at vaccine

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