noun
Common
shepherd
SHEH-puhd
Shepherd (noun) means a person whose job is to look after a flock of sheep. Example: “The old shepherd whistled to his dog and counted the sheep again.”
noun
1
A person whose job is to look after a flock of sheep.
"The old shepherd whistled to his dog and counted the sheep again."
"A young shepherd spent the summer watching over lambs on the high pasture."
"The shepherd led his flock down from the hills before the storm hit."
2
Someone who watches over, guides, or takes responsibility for other people.
"The coach acted as a shepherd to the young players, guiding them through their first season."
"As team lead, she saw herself as a shepherd for the newer staff."
"The pastor spoke of shepherding his congregation through hard times."
verb
1
To guide, look after, or lead people or a process carefully.
"The nurse shepherded the nervous patients into the waiting room one by one."
"A good mentor will shepherd a new project from the first idea to the finish."
"The tour guide shepherded the group safely through the crowded market."
How to use shepherd
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or something) that looks after and guides a group, whether literal sheep or people.
Common pairings
shepherd a flock
shepherd someone through
a good shepherd
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Word forms
- Plural
- shepherds
- Third person singular
- shepherds
- Past tense
- shepherded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old _____ whistled to his dog and counted the sheep again.
Etymology
From Old English sceaphierde, a compound of sceap ("sheep") and hierde ("herder") — literally "sheep-herder."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “shepherd” mean?
The word “shepherd” means a person whose job is to look after a flock of sheep. In plain terms, someone (or something) that looks after and guides a group, whether literal sheep or people.
How do you pronounce “shepherd”?
“Shepherd” is pronounced SHEH-puhd (/ˈʃɛpəɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “shepherd” in a sentence?
Here is “shepherd” used in a sentence: “The shepherd led his flock down from the hills before the storm hit.”
What part of speech is “shepherd”?
Depending on how it is used, “shepherd” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “shepherd” come from?
The word “shepherd” comes from Old English. From Old English sceaphierde, a compound of sceap ("sheep") and hierde ("herder") — literally "sheep-herder.".
Is “shepherd” a common word?
“Shepherd” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “shepherd” have?
“Shepherd” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person whose job is to look after a flock of sheep.
What is the difference between a shepherd and a herder?
A shepherd specifically looks after a flock of sheep. A herder is a broader term for someone who tends any grazing animals, such as cattle or goats. Every shepherd is a herder, but not every herder is a shepherd.
What is the difference between shepherd and Shepard?
Shepherd, with a middle "her," is the common noun for someone who tends sheep or guides others. Shepard is chiefly a surname and is spelled without the first "h." The two are pronounced almost identically, which is why they are often confused in writing.
When should you use shepherd as a verb?
You use shepherd as a verb when you guide or carefully lead people or a process through to completion, as in "she shepherded the bill through parliament." It suggests patient, watchful guidance rather than force.
Why is a German shepherd called a shepherd?
A German shepherd is a breed of large working dog originally bred for herding and guarding sheep. The name "shepherd" reflects the dog's traditional role in looking after flocks.
