# rooster

/ˈɹustɝ/ (US) · /ɹˈuːstɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rooster
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. male chicken

noun · CEFR B1 · American English · General-service

an adult male chicken.

For teachers: an adult male domestic chicken, typically characterised by a large comb and a loud crowing call.

- The rooster crowed loudly at dawn, waking everyone on the farm.
- The farmer kept one rooster to protect the flock of hens from potential predators in the surrounding woods.

Usage: Commonly used in American, Canadian, and Australian English; 'cock' is more frequent in British English for this sense.

### 2. a proud person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a person who is very proud, powerful, or acts like they are the boss.

For teachers: a person who displays pride, pomposity, or a dominant, assertive manner within a group.

- He strutted around the office like a rooster, making sure everyone saw his new suit.
- 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.

### 3. Chinese zodiac sign

noun · CEFR B2

the tenth animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac.

For teachers: the tenth sign of the Chinese zodiac, associated with the years 1993, 2005, 2017, and 2029.

- According to the Chinese calendar, people born in the Year of the Rooster are often hardworking.
- The festival decorations prominently featured the rooster to celebrate the beginning of the new lunar year.

## Examples

- The rooster crows at sunrise every morning.
- The farmer kept one rooster to protect the hens and fertilize the eggs for the next season.
- As the sun began to crest the horizon, the rooster's piercing cry echoed across the valley, signaling the start of the workday for the local community.

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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.