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

Prices rose across all meat types except ovine, with bovine meat reaching a new peak due to limited supplies in Brazil and strong Chinese demand.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

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 19-year-old Lady Diana Spencer was photographed in the eye-catching ovine garment at a polo match in June 1981, soon after her engagement to Prince Charles, who was then heir to the British throne.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 15, 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

So he sat there full of grief and misery, eating every day only a tiny bit of bread, and drinking only a mouthful of ovine, and he watched death creeping nearer and nearer to him.

From The Green Fairy Book by Lang, Andrew