What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cow
Example
The cow produced gallons of milk every day. [cow: noun]
Example
She called her husband a cow for eating all the pizza. [cow: slang insult]
bovine
Example
The farmer raised several bovines on his ranch. [bovine: noun]
Example
The bovine industry is an essential part of the economy. [bovine: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cow is more common than bovine in everyday language and is used in a variety of contexts, including agriculture, food, and slang insults. Bovine is less common and is typically used in academic or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cow and bovine?
Bovine is more formal than cow and is often used in scientific or technical contexts. Cow is more informal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, including slang insults.
