bovine

American  

[boh-vahyn, -vin, -veen] / ˈboʊ vaɪn, -vɪn, -vin /

adjective

1. of or relating to the subfamily Bovinae, which includes cattle, buffalo, and kudus.

2. oxlike; cowlike.

3. stolid; dull.

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noun

1. a bovine animal.

bovine British  

/ ˈbəʊvaɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Bovini (cattle), a bovid tribe including domestic cattle

2. (of people) dull; sluggish; stolid

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noun

1. any animal belonging to the Bovini

bovine Scientific  

/ bō′vīn′ /

1. Characteristic of or resembling cows or cattle.

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Other Word Forms

• bovinely adverb
• bovinity noun

Etymology

Origin of bovine

1810–20; < Late Latin bovīnus of, pertaining to oxen or cows, equivalent to Latin bov- (stem of bōs ) ox + -īnus -ine ¹

Example Sentences

But the clear pill cases were filled with about 6,500 mosquito eggs and bovine liver powder.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

The company says its product, which works solely with bovine breath samples, has detected gestation with 94% accuracy in lab tests.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

Explaining that bovine downgrade, he said although he wants to hold stocks, there are not many he actually wants to buy.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 5, 2026

When she won her first bovine prize, a fully grown cow, 20 years ago, the American raised eyebrows by declining the cash alternative.

From Barron's • Dec. 19, 2025

The Lordsport men gazed on Theon with blank, bovine eyes, and he realized that they did not know who he was.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin