cowboy

[ kou-boi ]

noun

1. a man who herds and tends cattle on a ranch, especially in the western U.S., and who traditionally goes about most of his work on horseback.
2. a man who exhibits the skills attributed to such cowboys, especially in rodeos.
3. Chiefly Northeastern U.S. a reckless or speedy automobile driver.
4. Informal. a reckless or irresponsible person, especially a show-off or one who undertakes a dangerous or sensitive task heedlessly:

   They put foreign policy in the hands of cowboys.

5. (during the American Revolution) a member of a pro-British guerrilla band that operated between the American and British lines near New York City.

verb (used without object)

1. to work as a cowboy.

cowboy

/ ˈkaʊˌbɔɪ /

noun

1. Also calledcowhand a hired man who herds and tends cattle, usually on horseback, esp in the western US
2. a conventional character of Wild West folklore, films, etc, esp one involved in fighting Indians
3. informal.
   1. a person who is an irresponsible or unscrupulous operator in business
   2. ( as modifier )

      cowboy contractors

      cowboy shop steward

4. a man or boy who tends cattle

Derived Forms

• ˈcowˌgirl, noun:feminine

Word History and Origins

Origin of cowboy¹

First recorded in 1715–25; cow ¹ + boy

Example Sentences

Dressed in red, white and blue with a matching white cowboy hat, she catches a football while the intro song to "Cowboy Carter," "Ameriican Requiem" is played.

From Salon

The singer announced the half-time show with posts on her socials where she's seen catching a football while standing on a classic American car covered in roses, all while wearing her signature cowboy hat.

From BBC

But the Insulation Manufacturers Association said spray foam can be beneficial if properly installed, and it was worried homeowners could be needlessly driven to "cowboy" removals companies.

From BBC

Like falling in love with a cowboy … can’t be more country than that.

From Los Angeles Times

The Byrds, the Bakersfield sound and California country and country-rock traditions are what lured Yoakam to Los Angeles in the late 1970s as the so-called urban cowboy movement took hold in Nashville.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bronco