rooster
- 01 B1 Intermediate
an adult male chicken.
an adult male domestic chicken, typically characterised by a large comb and a loud crowing call.
Simple“The rooster crowed loudly at dawn, waking everyone on the farm.”
In context“The farmer kept one rooster to protect the flock of hens from potential predators in the surrounding woods.”
UsageCommonly used in American, Canadian, and Australian English; 'cock' is more frequent in British English for this sense.
- 02 C1 Advanced
a person who is very proud, powerful, or acts like they are the boss.
a person who displays pride, pomposity, or a dominant, assertive manner within a group.
Simple“He strutted around the office like a rooster, making sure everyone saw his new suit.”
In context“In the competitive world of high finance, he was known as a bit of a rooster, always eager to assert his dominance during board meetings.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
the tenth animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac.
the tenth sign of the Chinese zodiac, associated with the years 1993, 2005, 2017, and 2029.
Simple“According to the Chinese calendar, people born in the Year of the Rooster are often hardworking.”
In context“The festival decorations prominently featured the rooster to celebrate the beginning of the new lunar year.”
From roost + -er. In the regions where it is used, displaced cock through taboo avoidance. Compare typologically Russian насе́дка (nasédka) (akin to наси́живать (nasíživatʹ), also akin to насе́ст (nasést)).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.