noun
Common
cowboy
KOW-boy
Cowboy (noun) means a person, especially in the American West, who herds and tends cattle, traditionally on horseback. Example: “The cowboy rounded up the strays before nightfall.”
noun
1
A person, especially in the American West, who herds and tends cattle, traditionally on horseback.
"The cowboy rounded up the strays before nightfall."
"Every summer, the old cowboy leads the herd up to the high pastures."
"As a child, she dreamed of becoming a cowboy and riding across open plains."
2
Informal: someone who acts recklessly or without proper care, especially in business or trade work.
"Don't hire that builder — he's a real cowboy who cuts corners."
"The roofer turned out to be a cowboy and left our ceiling leaking."
"If you hire a cowboy to fix your wiring, you may regret it."
verb
1
To work herding cattle.
"He spent his twenties cowboying on ranches in Wyoming."
"My grandfather cowboyed across the plains for years before he bought his own farm."
"She dreamed of cowboying on a big ranch after finishing school."
How to use cowboy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA cattle herder, or, informally, someone reckless and unprofessional.
When to use it
The "reckless worker" sense is informal and often mildly insulting.
Common pairings
cowboy hat
cowboy boots
cowboy builder
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- cowboys
- Past tense
- cowboyed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ rounded up the strays before nightfall.
Etymology
Simply cow + boy, referring to someone who works cattle.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for cowboy
See all rhymes for cowboy →Frequently asked questions
What does “cowboy” mean?
The word “cowboy” means a person, especially in the American West, who herds and tends cattle, traditionally on horseback. In plain terms, a cattle herder, or, informally, someone reckless and unprofessional.
How do you pronounce “cowboy”?
“Cowboy” is pronounced KOW-boy (/ˈkaʊˌbɔɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cowboy” in a sentence?
Here is “cowboy” used in a sentence: “The cowboy rounded up the strays before nightfall.”
What part of speech is “cowboy”?
Depending on how it is used, “cowboy” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “cowboy” a common word?
“Cowboy” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cowboy” have?
“Cowboy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person, especially in the American West, who herds and tends cattle, traditionally on horseback.
What is the difference between a cowboy and a rancher?
A cowboy is the person who does the hands-on work of herding and tending cattle, traditionally on horseback, while a rancher is typically the owner or manager of the ranch and its livestock business. A rancher may employ cowboys to do the daily herding work rather than doing it personally.
What does it mean to call someone a cowboy in business?
Calling someone a cowboy informally describes a person who acts recklessly or without proper care, especially in business dealings or trade work such as building or plumbing. This usage, common in British English, implies the person cuts corners or works without the necessary skill or caution.
Is cowboy ever used as a verb?
Yes, though less commonly, cowboy can be used as a verb meaning to work herding cattle. This usage is mostly seen in American ranching contexts rather than everyday conversation.
