# lamb

/ˈɫæm/ (US) · /lˈæm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lamb
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. young animal

noun · CEFR A2

a young sheep, usually less than one year old.

For teachers: a juvenile sheep, typically under twelve months of age.

- The small white lamb followed its mother across the green field.
- During the spring months, the hillside was dotted with ewes and their newborn lambs grazing on the fresh grass.

### 2. meat

noun · CEFR A2

the meat from a young sheep used as food.

For teachers: the flesh of a young sheep used as a culinary ingredient.

- We are having roast lamb with potatoes for Sunday dinner.
- The chef recommended the rack of lamb, served with a delicate mint sauce and seasonal root vegetables.

### 3. gentle person

noun · CEFR B2

a person who is very kind, gentle, or innocent.

For teachers: a person characterised by meekness, innocence, or a gentle disposition.

- She is such a lamb; she never says a mean word about anyone.
- Despite the harsh criticism from his peers, he remained a lamb, refusing to engage in any form of retaliation.

### 4. Mariah Carey fan

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

a dedicated fan of the singer Mariah Carey.

For teachers: a term of self-identification for a devoted admirer of the American singer Mariah Carey.

- As a lifelong lamb, she has every one of Mariah's albums on vinyl.
- The concert venue was packed with lambs wearing butterfly-themed accessories to show their support for the pop icon.

### 5. inexperienced investor

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Technical

an inexperienced person who loses money on the stock market.

For teachers: an inexperienced or naive investor who is easily exploited or victimised in financial markets.

- The professional traders quickly took advantage of the lambs in the market.
- Market veterans often wait for the influx of lambs during a bubble to liquidate their positions at inflated prices.

### 6. to give birth

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

when a sheep gives birth to a baby lamb.

For teachers: to give birth to a lamb; also used transitively to describe assisting a sheep during the birthing process.

- The farmer stayed up all night to help the sheep lamb safely.
- The flock began to lamb in early March, requiring the shepherds to work around the clock in the birthing sheds.

## Examples

- The little lamb followed its mother across the green field.
- We decided to roast a leg of lamb with rosemary and garlic for the holiday dinner.
- The pastoral landscape was dotted with ewes and their frolicking lambs, creating a scene of tranquil beauty that had 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.