cowboy

[kou-boi]

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.

verb (used without object)

1. to work as a cowboy.

cowboy

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• cowgirl noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cowboy¹

First recorded in 1715–25; cow ¹ + boy

Example Sentences

But after the wildfire, Dusty’s omnipresent cowboy hat is all that remains from the only life he’s ever known.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"It changed the scene and made it personal. Like a sheriff and a bad cowboy coming in to have a gunfight."

Read more on BBC

Nevertheless, the official added, "we don't want to be cowboys and jumping on ships. The act of monitoring ships is a deterrent in itself".

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Farmers cursed the plant as it dug its thorns into the legs of horses and cowboys.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

On Saturday, protesters waved banners with displaying messages including "We are all Carlos Manzo", while others wore cowboy hats in tribute to him.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bronco