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

Schutz Tyche Cow-Print Loafers Durable leather loafers are the best alternative to flats in the slushy winter months, and this Schutz cow print pair will make for a chic pop of print. —Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026

The lining is 100 percent cow suede, which adds to the luxurious feel, and the durable hardware gives the bag a premium look that will withstand regular wear. —Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026

Verb

The senator and Navy veteran isn’t likely to be cowed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s lawless attempt to silence him by seeking to demote him post-retirement. —Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026

Musk, who owns X, wants to promote the belief that the truth can be found on social media, and that the practitioners of real journalism are allegedly independent amateurs, such as Shirley, who can ask questions without being cowed by the woke agenda. —Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 6 Jan. 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

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

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