cow
cow — noun
1. a large adult female animal that people keep on farms, raised for its milk and m
a large adult female animal that people keep on farms, raised for its milk and meat
The farmer's cows graze in the field behind the old red barn.
cows graze in [location] — common pasture pattern
Every morning before sunrise, Anjali milks the cows in the wooden shed.
milks the cows — daily farm routine
Esteban bought fresh cheese made from the milk of grass-fed cows.
During winter, the cows stay inside the barn where Layla keeps them warm and dry.
文法句型
a cow
the cows
[number] cows
常見錯誤
2. for very big wild animals like elephants, whales, and seals, the adult female is
for very big wild animals like elephants, whales, and seals, the adult female is known as a cow
A cow elephant can weigh more than five thousand kilograms.
cow + species — 'cow elephant' denotes adult female
Marine biologists spotted a cow whale swimming with her calf near the coast.
cow [species] + with calf — mother-offspring pairing
The cow seal lay on the beach, resting after giving birth to her pup.
Unlike bulls, cow elephants stay together in family groups led by the oldest female.
- female
broader and not specific to large mammals; used for any species
- bull
the adult male of large mammals such as elephants and whales
文法句型
a cow [species]
the cow [species]
用法筆記
In this sense, 'cow' must be paired with the species name ('cow elephant', 'cow whale', 'cow seal'). Using 'cow' alone in this sense is unnatural — the species name provides the context that distinguishes this sense from sense 1.
常見錯誤
3. a rude and offensive way to refer to a woman, suggesting she is mean, stupid, or
a rude and offensive way to refer to a woman, suggesting she is mean, stupid, or unpleasant — this word causes serious offense and should be avoided
Folake called her neighbour a stupid cow during the argument about the fence.
insult: 'stupid cow' — strongly offensive and degrading
Amira told Jack not to use the word 'cow' as an insult toward anyone.
The teacher warned her students that 'cow' is a hurtful name for a woman.
During a street argument, Ravi's aunt scolded the neighbour for calling her a cow in front of the children.
文法句型
[adjective] cow
用法筆記
This is a strongly offensive insult in both British and American English. Avoid using this word to refer to a woman in any context. The word is similar in force to other derogatory slurs — using it can cause serious personal offense and damage relationships.
常見錯誤
4. something that causes difficulty, frustration, or annoyance — used informally, m
something that causes difficulty, frustration, or annoyance — used informally, mainly in British English
This old computer has been a real cow to repair all afternoon.
informal: a real cow + to [verb] — something frustrating
That chemistry exam was an absolute cow — everyone struggled to finish it on time.
Tamás called the broken washing machine a proper cow and decided to replace it.
Moving all the furniture upstairs turned into a real cow for the removal team.
文法句型
a cow
a real cow
an absolute cow
用法筆記
Almost always used with an intensifying adjective ('a real cow', 'an absolute cow', 'a proper cow'). Uncommon outside British English — American English speakers may not understand this usage. Typically singular; does not usually take a plural form.
常見錯誤
cow — verb
1. to make someone do what you want by threatening them or using violence to fright
to make someone do what you want by threatening them or using violence to frighten them into obedience
The older boys tried to cow the new student into giving them his lunch money.
cow [person] into [doing something] — coercion pattern
Sumin refused to be cowed by her manager's angry threats about the project deadline.
passive: be cowed by [threat]
The witness was cowed into silence by the defendant's cold stare from across the courtroom.
Nobody could cow Dahlia into changing her decision once she had made up her mind.
Jabari's loud voice cowed the younger players into agreeing with his plan for the match.
- intimidate
more formal and broader — can mean frightening someone without forcing a specific action
- bully
emphasises repeated, targeted mistreatment rather than one-time intimidation
- browbeat
suggests using harsh words or looks rather than physical threats
文法句型
cow someone into doing something
be cowed by someone
cow someone into submission
用法筆記
Very often used in the passive voice ('be cowed'). The most common grammatical pattern is 'cow someone into [doing something]'. Unlike the verb 'frighten', 'cow' always implies that the intimidation is successful in forcing a specific action or submission.