ovine

American  

[oh-vahyn, oh-vin] / ˈoʊ vaɪn, ˈoʊ vɪn /

adjective

1. pertaining to, of the nature of, or like sheep.

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ovine British  

/ ˈəʊvaɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a sheep

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ovine Scientific  

/ ō′vīn′ /

1. Relating to or characteristic of sheep.

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Etymology

Origin of ovine

First recorded in 1670–80; from Late Latin ovīnus, equivalent to Latin ov(is) “sheep” + -īnus -ine ¹

Explanation

Anything ovine has to do with sheep — this is a sheep-specific word. Baa! Just as canine describes dog-like things and bovine describes cow-like things, ovine is used to describe specifically sheep-like things. A poodle with hair that resembles a sheep is kind of ovine. Someone who shears sheep gives ovine haircuts. A scientist who studies sheep knows more ovine facts than anyone else, except maybe a farmer with a lot of ovine critters on the farm.

Example Sentences

Still, overall meat prices remain 4.9% higher than a year ago, with bovine largely steady and ovine prices rising.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Perhaps the two bighorn sheep were fighting over territory or food, or maybe there was some ovine slight imperceptible to human eyes.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2024

The ovine spectacle will return when the sheep are brought back down again in the fall.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 28, 2023

As the sheep investigate the murder, they bestow ovine motives on human activity, resulting in a wonderfully peculiar whodunit, rich with humor and whimsy.

From Washington Post • Dec. 14, 2020

Similarly, what by common accord has been called the Bourbon type, which bears some resemblance to the ovine breed, is visibly perpetuated in the house of the Capets.

From The Galley Slave's Ring or The Family of Lebrenn. A Tale of The French Revolution of 1848 by Sue, Eug?ne