Cowboy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈkau̇-ˌbȯi/ cow·boy

Meaning & Definition of Cowboy

Cowboy (noun)

  1. one who tends cattle or horses; especially, a usually mounted cattle-ranch hand
  2. a rodeo performer
  3. one having qualities (such as recklessness, aggressiveness, or independence) popularly associated with cowboys

Cowboy (verb)

  1. to work as a cowboy

Cowboy (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a hired hand who tends cattle or horses at a ranch or on the range

    "cowboys were rounding up the cattle for branding"

    similar: buckaroo, cowhand, cowman, cowpoke, cowpuncher, waddy (West), wrangler
    related: cowgirl, caballero (chiefly Southwest), gaucho, vaquero, horseman, horsewoman, cattleman, rancher, stockman, cowherd, drover, herder, herdsman

Related Entry: Cowboy hat (noun)

Cowboy hat is a different word from Cowboy. The synonyms below are for cowboy hat, not for cowboy.

  1. as in baseball cap, porkpie hat

    similar: baseball cap, beret, billycock (British), biretta, boater, bonnet, bowler, calotte, capuche, casque, castor, cloche, cocked hat, cowl, derby, fedora, fez, garrison cap, hard hat, helm, helmet, high hat, homburg, hood, kepi, kufi, leghorn, miter, nightcap, opera hat, overseas cap, panama, picture hat, pillbox, plug hat, porkpie hat, service cap, shako, silk hat, skimmer, skullcap, sombrero, sou'wester, Stetson, stocking cap, stovepipe, sunbonnet, tam, tam-o'-shanter, ten-gallon hat, top hat, topper, toque, tricorne, turban, zucchetto, cap, chapeau, hat, headdress, headgear, headpiece, lid (slang), warbonnet

Related Entry: Cowboy hats (noun)

Cowboy hats is a different word from Cowboy. The synonyms below are for cowboy hats, not for cowboy.

  1. as in baseball caps, porkpie hats

    similar: baseball caps, berets, billycocks (British), birettas, boaters, bonnets, bowlers, calottes, capuches, casques, castors, cloches, cocked hats, cowls, derbies, fedoras, fezzes, garrison caps, hard hats, helmets, helms, high hats, homburgs, hoods, kepis, kufis, leghorns, miters, nightcaps, opera hats, overseas caps, panamas, picture hats, pillboxes, plug hats, porkpie hats, service caps, shakos, silk hats, skimmers, skullcaps, sombreros, sou'westers, Stetsons, stocking caps, stovepipes, sunbonnets, tam-o'-shanters, tams, ten-gallon hats, top hats, toppers, toques, tricornes, turbans, zucchettos, caps, chapeaus, hats, headdresses, headgears, headpieces, lids (slang), warbonnets

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Cowboy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Cowboy:

West: waddy
buckaroo, cowhand, cowman, cowpoke, cowpuncher, wrangler

Related Words for Cowboy

cowgirl, caballero, gaucho, vaquero, horseman, horsewoman, cattleman, rancher, stockman, cowherd, drover, herder, herdsman

Word Forms of Cowboy

Inflections: cowboyed, cowboying, cowboys

Origin & Etymology of Cowboy

First known use: 1623

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Cowboy

Words & Phrases Containing Cowboy

cowboy boot, cowboy hat, drugstore cowboy

Frequently Asked Questions about Cowboy

What does "Cowboy" mean?

"Cowboy" means one who tends cattle or horses; especially, a usually mounted cattle-ranch hand. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: one who tends cattle or horses; especially, a usually mounted cattle-ranch hand.

What is another word for "Cowboy"?

Other words for "Cowboy" include buckaroo, cowhand, cowman, cowpoke, cowpuncher, waddy and wrangler. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Cowboy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Cowboy"?

There are 20 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Cowboy". Common alternatives include buckaroo, cowhand, cowman, cowpoke, cowpuncher, waddy and wrangler.

How do you use "Cowboy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Cowboy" in a sentence: "cowboys were rounding up the cattle for branding".

Is "Cowboy" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cowboy" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Cowboy" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Cowboy" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Cowboy"?

"Cowboy" is pronounced /ˈkau̇-ˌbȯi/ and divided into syllables as cow·boy.

What is the origin of the word "Cowboy"?

First known use: 1623.