What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
herder
Example
The herder led the cows to the pasture. [herder: noun]
Example
She spent her summer working as a herder in the mountains. [herder: noun]
shepherd
Example
The shepherd watched over his flock as they grazed in the field. [shepherd: noun]
Example
She learned how to shear sheep from her grandfather, who was a shepherd. [shepherd: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shepherd is more commonly used than herder in everyday language, especially in Western culture where sheep farming is prevalent. However, herder is still a useful term in many contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between herder and shepherd?
Both herder and shepherd are relatively informal terms, but shepherd may have a slightly more formal connotation due to its association with pastoral literature and imagery.
