Meaning & use
Cowboy
Last updated
A person, typically on horseback, who herds and tends cattle, especially in the western United States.
See it in a sentence
The cowboy rounded up the strays before sunset.
He grew up on a ranch, dreaming of becoming a cowboy.
A note on using this word
Beyond ranching, the word is used informally in British English for a reckless or unqualified tradesperson, as in 'a cowboy builder.'
Words with a similar meaning
cattlemanwrangler
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. noun
A reckless or unscrupulous person, especially in business or a trade.
They hired a cowboy plumber who made the leak worse.
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