ox
OKS
Ox (noun) means a castrated adult male of domestic cattle, traditionally used to pull carts or ploughs. Example: “The farmer used an ox to plough the field.”
noun
1
A castrated adult male of domestic cattle, traditionally used to pull carts or ploughs.
"The farmer used an ox to plough the field."
2
Any animal of the cattle family, more broadly.
"Wild oxen once roamed much of Europe."
How to use ox
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large, strong cattle animal, especially one used to pull heavy loads.
Common mistake
The plural is "oxen," not "oxes."
Common pairings
strong as an ox
a team of oxen
ox and plough
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Word forms
- Plural
- oxen, oxes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The farmer used an _____ to plough the field.
Etymology
From Old English oxa, from a Proto-Germanic root related to Proto-Indo-European *uksḗn; cognate with Welsh ych.
Synonyms
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wild ox
Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “ox” mean?
The word “ox” means a castrated adult male of domestic cattle, traditionally used to pull carts or ploughs. In plain terms, a large, strong cattle animal, especially one used to pull heavy loads.
How do you pronounce “ox”?
“Ox” is pronounced OKS (/ˈɑks/ in IPA).
How do you use “ox” in a sentence?
Here is “ox” used in a sentence: “The farmer used an ox to plough the field.”
What part of speech is “ox”?
“Ox” is a noun.
Where does the word “ox” come from?
The word “ox” comes from Old English. From Old English oxa, from a Proto-Germanic root related to Proto-Indo-European *uksḗn; cognate with Welsh ych.
Is “ox” a common word?
“Ox” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “ox” have?
“Ox” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a castrated adult male of domestic cattle, traditionally used to pull carts or ploughs.
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