cowboy

American  

[kou-boi] / ˈkaʊˌbɔɪ /

noun

1. a man who herds and tends cattle on a ranch, especially in the western U.S., and who traditionally goes about most of his work on horseback.

2. a man who exhibits the skills attributed to such cowboys, especially in rodeos.

3. Chiefly Northeastern U.S. a reckless or speedy automobile driver.

4. Informal. a reckless or irresponsible person, especially a show-off or one who undertakes a dangerous or sensitive task heedlessly.

   They put foreign policy in the hands of cowboys.

5. (during the American Revolution) a member of a pro-British guerrilla band that operated between the American and British lines near New York City.

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verb (used without object)

1. to work as a cowboy.

cowboy British  

/ ˈkaʊˌbɔɪ /

noun

1. Also called: cowhand.  a hired man who herds and tends cattle, usually on horseback, esp in the western US

2. a conventional character of Wild West folklore, films, etc, esp one involved in fighting Indians

3. informal

   1. a person who is an irresponsible or unscrupulous operator in business

   2. ( as modifier )

      cowboy contractors

      cowboy shop steward

4. a man or boy who tends cattle

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Other Word Forms

• cowgirl noun

Etymology

Origin of cowboy

First recorded in 1715–25; cow ¹ + boy

Example Sentences

Two cowboys were the first ones off the train.

From Literature

But singer Liam Gallagher has repeatedly criticised the Hall of Fame, previously saying he wasn't interested in receiving an award from "some geriatric in a cowboy hat".

From BBC

The waterfront residence was previously described as being the perfect place to “channel your ‘hippie cowboy,’” according to an old listing.

From MarketWatch

At the Munich Security Conference this month, Rubio stated that the “entire romance of the cowboy archetype that became synonymous with the American West” was “born in Spain.”

From Los Angeles Times

Our continental spread allowed people to “light out for the territory,” in Mark Twain’s phrase, to shed one identity and assume another — a cowboy, maybe, or a con-man.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bronco