What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cows
Example
The cows need to be milked twice a day. [cows: noun]
Example
The farmer herded the cows into the barn for the night. [cows: noun]
Example
The air was filled with the smell of cows and manure. [cows: noun]
bovine
Example
Bovine tuberculosis is a disease that affects cattle and other bovine species. [bovine: adjective]
Example
The bovine creature slowly made its way across the field, grazing on the grass. [bovine: noun]
Example
The meeting was a bovine affair, with little discussion or engagement from the attendees. [bovine: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cows is more common than bovine in everyday language, especially in agricultural or rural contexts. Bovine is more commonly used in scientific or technical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between cows and bovine?
Bovine is more formal than cows, which is more casual and conversational. Bovine is typically used in academic or technical writing, while cows is used in everyday conversation or informal writing.