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bovine

Relating to or resembling cattle. / A domesticated animal of the subfamily Bovinae, such as a cow or ox.
Adjective[C] Countable
pl: bovines

This word carries a heavy association with slow, deliberate movement and a lack of urgency. When applied to humans, it is almost always derogatory, suggesting a dull, mindless, or overly passive temperament. It evokes an image of a creature that simply follows the crowd without questioning or reacting.

In technical or agricultural settings, the term is neutral and clinical. However, in a social or literary context, it paints a picture of stolidity and a lack of intellectual spark, contrasting sharply with words like agile or spirited.

Countable when referring to the individual animals in a group, such as a herd of bovines.

Meanings

Adjective

Relating to or resembling cattle.

The farmer tended to the bovine herd.

Noun

A domesticated animal of the subfamily Bovinae, such as a cow or ox.

The sanctuary provides a home for rescued bovines.

Related Words

Last Updated: May 2026Report an Error