noun
wether
WETH-uh
Wether (noun) means a castrated male sheep or goat. Example: “The farmer kept a small flock of wethers for their wool.”
noun
1
A castrated male sheep or goat.
"The farmer kept a small flock of wethers for their wool."
"A wether does not breed, so it is often raised purely for meat."
"The shepherd separated the wethers from the ewes before winter."
How to use wether
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA wether is simply a castrated male sheep or goat.
When to use it
Wether is a specialist farming term rather than everyday vocabulary.
Memory tip
Wether, weather and whether sound alike in some accents, so check the spelling carefully in farming contexts.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
a flock of wethers
raise wethers
a wether lamb
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like wether.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The farmer kept a small flock of _____ for their wool.
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.
Rhymes for wether
See all rhymes for 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.
What is the meaning of wether?
"wether" (noun) means a castrated male sheep or goat.
