This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
cowboy
[ kou-boi ]
/ ˈkaʊˌbɔɪ /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
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.
a man who exhibits the skills attributed to such cowboys, especially in rodeos.
Chiefly Northeastern U.S. a reckless or speedy automobile driver.
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.
(during the American Revolution) a member of a pro-British guerrilla band that operated between the American and British lines near New York City.
verb (used without object)
to work as a cowboy.
QUIZ
TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS
Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”
Question 1 of 7
What does "dignity" mean?
Words nearby cowboy
cowbane, cowbell, cowberry, cowbind, cowbird, cowboy, cowboy boot, cowboy hat, cowboys and Indians, cowboy up, cow cake
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use cowboy in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for cowboy
cowboy
/ (ˈkaʊˌbɔɪ) /
noun
Also called: cowhand a hired man who herds and tends cattle, usually on horseback, esp in the western US
a conventional character of Wild West folklore, films, etc, esp one involved in fighting Indians
informal
- a person who is an irresponsible or unscrupulous operator in business
- (as modifier)cowboy contractors; cowboy shop steward
Australian a man or boy who tends cattle
Derived forms of cowboy
cowgirl, fem nCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012