wether
What is another word for wether? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.
Noun — A castrated male sheep or goat.
We haven't recorded synonyms for wether yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.
How to use wether
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a flock of wethers
raise wethers
a wether lamb
Wether is a specialist farming term rather than everyday vocabulary.
Etymology
Wether comes from Middle English wether, which goes back to Old English weþer, meaning a ram. This in turn traces to a Proto-Germanic root for the same animal, which is thought to be linked further back to a word for year.
Full origin of wether →Frequently asked questions
What is a wether?
A wether is a male sheep or goat that has been castrated, usually so it can be raised for wool or meat rather than breeding.
Is a wether the same as a ram?
No. A ram is an uncastrated male sheep able to breed, while a wether has been castrated.
Why do farmers keep wethers?
Wethers are kept because, unlike rams, they are calmer and easier to manage in a flock, and they are raised for their wool or meat.
