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

Explanation

If something is bovine, it has to do with cows or cattle, or it reminds you of the slow and seemingly unintelligent ways of cows and cattle. Someone's glacial pace and dull comments might contribute to his thoroughly bovine impression. The adjective bovine is used for anything that has to do with animals from the genus “Bos,” which classifies wild and domestic cattle. Mad Cow Disease is technically known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, and it can be said to have bovine origins. What are known as cow pies are, in fact, bovine droppings. People can be described as bovine if they are intellectually dull, slow-moving, or somewhat cow-like in their appearance.

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

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

It’s the kind of number that, if I were buying, might make me forgive the Toyota’s normie orthodoxy, the penny-pinched interior and any occasional bovine noises under throttle.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

Over time mutation lets animal diseases jump to people: avian influenza becomes human influenza, bovine rinderpest becomes human measles, horsepox becomes human smallpox.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann