oxen
3 synonyms for oxen, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The plural of ox — large cattle traditionally used for pulling ploughs, carts, or heavy loads.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
kine
cows
How to use oxen
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a team of oxen
yoke of oxen
Etymology
From Old English oxan, an old plural form that survives in modern English alongside children and brethren, going back to a Germanic root for "ox."
Full origin of oxen →Frequently asked questions
What does “oxen” mean?
The word “oxen” means the plural of ox — large cattle traditionally used for pulling ploughs, carts, or heavy loads. In plain terms, more than one ox — big, strong cattle bred for pulling heavy loads.
How do you pronounce “oxen”?
“Oxen” is pronounced OK-suhn (/ˈɑksən/ in IPA).
How do you use “oxen” in a sentence?
Here is “oxen” used in a sentence: “The farmers used a team of oxen to plough the field before tractors were common.”
What part of speech is “oxen”?
“Oxen” is a noun.
Where does the word “oxen” come from?
The word “oxen” comes from Old English. From Old English oxan, an old plural form that survives in modern English alongside children and brethren, going back to a Germanic root for "ox.".
