cow
1the mature female of a bovine animal, especially of the genus Bos.
the female of certain other mammals, as elephants, seals, and whales.
Informal. a domestic bovine of either sex and any age.
Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.
a contemptible woman, especially one who is fat, stupid, lazy, etc.
a woman who has a large number of children or is frequently pregnant.
Idioms about cow
have a cow, Slang. to become very angry or upset; throw a fit: My mom will have a cow when she hears I'm moving.
till / until the cows come home, for a long time; forever: You can keep arguing till the cows come home, but I won't change my mind.
Origin of cow
1Other words from cow
- cow·like, adjective
Words Nearby cow
Other definitions for cow (2 of 2)
to frighten with threats, violence, etc.; intimidate; overawe.
Origin of cow
2Other words for cow
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use cow in a sentence
If you want specifics, check out Williams flexion exercises, the figure-4 piriformis stretch, the cat-cow stretch, and the spinal twist.
The best thing for back pain is actually more movement | Sara Chodosh | September 16, 2020 | Popular-ScienceMembers of his Bharatiya Janata Party have recommended cow urine and cow dung as possible cures for the Coronavirus.
Podcast: How a 135-year-old law lets India shutdown the internet | Anthony Green | September 2, 2020 | MIT Technology ReviewWe’re talking get up, feed cows, go to school, come home, feed cows, do homework, go to bed.
Survivors are often shamed, dismissed or cowed into silence by the police, family members, aggressor or all three.
Nigeria has missed an opportunity to make its #MeToo moment stick | Shayera Dark | August 4, 2020 | QuartzI raise cows, sheep, and pigs, and I sell directly to customers.
What Happens When Everyone Stays Home to Eat? (Ep. 412) | Stephen J. Dubner | April 9, 2020 | Freakonomics
It is a cash cow, handed billions by TV networks and rewarding its sponsors with huge ratings and ever growing revenues.
Nonetheless, a battle-ready J-31 could still be a cash cow, and a good way for China to make friends.
She became vegan, “inspired by a love of puppies and a cow that winked at me on a family vacation.”
Speed Read: Lena Dunham’s Most Shocking Confessions From ‘Not That Kind of Girl’ | Kevin Fallon | September 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTFaith is decency… if I were a cow I would be wearing a bra.
Beirut Letter: In Lebanon, Fighting ISIS With Culture and Satire | Kim Ghattas | September 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe original cash cow of the Murdoch newspapers was his red-top daily, The Sun.
Murdoch on the Rocks: How a Lone Reporter Revealed the Mogul's Tabloid Terror Machine | Clive Irving | August 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe had five girls by his first wife; there is no reason why this splendid cow I have picked out should not produce a dozen boys.
Ancestors | Gertrude AthertonThere are no chains to my prison, no steel cuffs to gall the limbs, no guards to threaten and cow me.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson LloydHere the pair reached the "Dun cow" and retired to their respective quarters.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsBut here at Fort Walsh we're among a class of people that are a heap different from Texas cow-punchers.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairAnd it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | Various
British Dictionary definitions for cow (1 of 2)
/ (kaʊ) /
the mature female of any species of cattle, esp domesticated cattle
the mature female of various other mammals, such as the elephant, whale, and seal
(not in technical use) any domestic species of cattle
informal a disagreeable woman
Australian and NZ slang something objectionable (esp in the phrase a fair cow)
till the cows come home informal for a very long time; effectively for ever
Origin of cow
1British Dictionary definitions for cow (2 of 2)
/ (kaʊ) /
(tr) to frighten or overawe, as with threats
Origin of cow
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with cow
In addition to the idiom beginning with cow
- cow college
also see:
- cash cow
- holy cow
- sacred cow
- till the cows come home
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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