# cow

/ˈkaʊ/ (US) · /kˈaʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cow
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. farm animal

noun · CEFR A1

a large female farm animal kept for its milk or meat.

For teachers: an adult female of the species Bos taurus, typically one that has given birth to a calf.

- The farmer milked the cow every morning before the sun came up.
- The herd consisted mainly of dairy cows grazing peacefully in the lower pasture near the stream.

### 2. female of large mammals

noun · CEFR B2

the female of some other large animals, like elephants or whales.

For teachers: the female of various large mammals, including elephants, whales, seals, and hippos.

- The mother elephant, or cow, stayed close to her young calf.
- Marine biologists observed the whale cow and her offspring migrating toward warmer waters for the winter season.

### 3. unpleasant woman

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal · Vulgar

an unkind word for a woman you think is stupid or unpleasant.

For teachers: a derogatory term for a woman perceived as unpleasant, difficult, or unintelligent.

- He was being very rude and called the shop assistant a stupid cow.
- The argument escalated quickly, ending with him shouting insults and calling her a lazy cow before storming out.

Teaching tip: This is highly offensive in most contexts; learners should be aware of its impact but avoid using it themselves.

### 4. to intimidate

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary · Formal

to make someone feel afraid or less confident.

For teachers: to intimidate or daunt the spirits of someone, often through a show of force or authority.

- The protesters refused to be cowed by the large police presence.
- The dictator attempted to cow the local population into submission through a series of restrictive new laws and public threats.

Usage: Usually used in the passive voice ('to be cowed by').

## Examples

- The farmer milks the cow every morning.
- Children on the school trip loved watching the cow and her calf in the field.
- The lone cow stood silhouetted against the horizon, a placid and enduring symbol of rural life that has remained unchanged for centuries.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.