cowboy

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noun cow·boy \ˈkau̇-ˌbȯi\

Definition of cowboy

1 : one who tends cattle or horses; especially : a usually mounted cattle-ranch hand
2 : a rodeo performer
3 : one having qualities (such as recklessness, aggressiveness, or independence) popularly associated with cowboys: such asa : a reckless driverb : a business or businessperson operating in an uncontrolled or unregulated manner

See cowboy defined for English-language learners

See cowboy defined for kids

Examples of cowboy in a Sentence

a movie about cowboys in the old West
He worked for several years as a cowboy on a ranch in Texas.
We've got a bunch of risk-taking cowboys running this project.

Recent Examples of cowboy from the Web

A cowboy suit, a wind-up train on a track, roller skates, and every teen’s favorite: Chuck Taylor All-Stars and a satin blue and gold warm-up jacket, the Home school’s colors.

— kristina goetz, The Courier-Journal, "Orphans come back to ‘The Home’ that took them in when no one else could," 20 July 2017
The president took his time checking out products from all over the country: Trump donned a cowboy hat from Texas.

— Washington Post, "Trump wants new NAFTA deal to cut trade deficit with Mexico," 17 July 2017
Paula Cole may still not know where all the cowboys have gone, to invoke the title of her 1997 breakthrough hit.

— george varga, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Paula Cole returns with new album for Museum of Making Music concert today," 6 July 2017
Worship has been tailored for cowboys (country music and sawdust on the floor) and bikers (dress code: leather), said the Rev. Karl Vaters, who writes a blog on innovative leadership in small churches for Christianity Today magazine.

— kristin e. holmes, Philly.com, "From bike shop to drive-thru prayer, churches try thinking outside the pew," 3 July 2017
Some of the friends hung out regularly with a group of male cowboys.

— chadwick tyler, The Cut, "Ladies With Lassos," 28 June 2017
The life of a cowboy is one of social magnetism and social restraint.

— maggie lange, Bon Appetit, "The Best Toothpicks Are Minty and Make You Feel Like a Cowboy," 28 June 2017
The beloved Pixar film about a toy cowboy named Woody, his boy Andy, and Andy's new astronaut toy Buzz Lightyear is over 20 years old but its story endures even now.

— ella ceron, Teen Vogue, ""Toy Story" Theory About Andy's Dad Goes Viral," 26 June 2017
Bryan coaches Kenny on his two-on-one while Lee polishes his cowboy boots because this show has the subtlety of a fart.

— elizabeth logan, Glamour, "'The Bachelorette' Season 13 Episode 5 Recap: The Oslo Not-Accords," 26 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cowboy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

In the American West, a horseman skilled at handling cattle is called a cowboy. From ca.1820, cowboys were employed in small numbers on Texas ranches. After the Civil War, their numbers rapidly multiplied as cattle-raising evolved into a lucrative industry throughout the western territories. Cowboys rounded up and branded the cattle, kept watch over the herd, and drove those ready for market to railroad towns. As the agricultural frontier moved west, the open range was transformed into farms, and by 1890 cowboys had been forced to settle on ranches. The romance of their image lives on in American folklore and through movies and television.

First Known Use of cowboy

1623

cowboy

verb cow·boy

Definition of cowboy

intransitive verb
: to work as a cowboy cowboyed in Texas and Oklahoma

See cowboy defined for English-language learners

Examples of cowboy in a Sentence

He cowboyed in Texas and Oklahoma.

Recent Examples of cowboy from the Web

Sam Hunt cowboys up Sam Hunt brought the party with him Friday night.

— cindy watts and adam tamburin, USA TODAY, "Friday at CMA Music Festival: Blake Shelton, Kelsea Ballerini," 10 June 2017

First Known Use of cowboy

1925

COWBOY Defined for English Language Learners

cowboy

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noun

Definition of cowboy for English Language Learners

: a man who rides a horse and whose job is to take care of cows or horses especially in the western U.S.
: a man who performs in a rodeo
: someone who has qualities that are commonly associated with the cowboys in movies; especially : someone who does things that other people consider foolish and dangerous