ox
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.”
How to use ox
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large, strong cattle animal, especially one used to pull heavy loads.
The plural is "oxen," not "oxes."
Word forms
oxen plural, oxes plural
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
View more →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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