calf
gb/kˈæf/ us/kˈæf/
A2
English
~ 7400
borjú, vádli, kölyök, borjúbőr
NOUN
A2
1
borjú
A2
Usage pattern:
a calf on [a farm]
The cow gave birth to a healthy calf during the night.
Az éjszaka folyamán a tehén egészséges borjút ellett.
Farmers keep the youngest calves in a separate pen to watch them closely.
A gazdák a legfiatalabb borjakat külön karámban tartják, hogy gondosan szemmel tarthassák őket.
Each spring, dozens of calves are born on that ranch.
The vet came to check on a sick calf in the barn.
They raise beef calves for meat and sell them at market.
Learner examples
The cow has a small calf.
A tehénnek van egy kis borja.
We saw many calves on the farm.
Sok borjút láttunk a farmon.
The farmer feeds milk to the calf.
The calf stays close to its mother.
A new calf was born yesterday.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse the plural form. The plural of "calf" is "calves", not "calfs". Some also use "calf" for any baby farm animal, but it is used mainly for cows (and, more generally, for some other large animals in a different sense).
Meaning
young cow or bull
Collocations
newborn calf
|dairy calf
|beef calf
|cow and calf
|calf pen
|rear calves
Synonyms
young cow (General description; does not clearly include young bulls, while "calf" includes both.)
|
juvenile bovine (More technical and formal; often used in scientific or farming contexts.)
Antonyms
adult cow (Refers to a fully grown animal, the opposite life stage of a calf.)
Themes
animals
|farming
|food
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A baby cow, male or female.
A young domestic cow or bull, especially one that is still drinking its mother’s milk or is under about a year old.
NOUN
B1
2
vádli
B1
Usage pattern:
the calf of [someone]'s leg
My left calf cramped up halfway through the race.
A verseny felénél begörcsölt a bal vádlim.
She massaged his calves after the long hike.
A hosszú túra után megmasszírozta neki a vádlijait.
He felt a sharp pain shoot through his right calf.
These boots are too tight around my calves.
Strong calf muscles help protect your knees when you run.
Learner examples
My calf hurts when I walk.
Fáj a vádlim, amikor sétálok.
I stretch my calves before I play soccer.
Focizás előtt megnyújtom a vádlijaimat.
She has very strong calf muscles.
He rubbed his calf after the long run.
These socks are tight on my calves.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "calf" with other leg parts like "thigh" or "ankle". The calf is only the back of the lower leg. Also, the plural is "calves", not "calfs".
Meaning
back of the lower leg
Collocations
calf muscle
|tight calves
|pull a calf muscle
|stretch your calves
|calf cramp
|do calf raises
Synonyms
lower leg (back) (Describes the general area; less specific and not a set anatomical term like "calf".)
Antonyms
shin (Refers to the front of the lower leg, which contrasts with the calf at the back.)
Themes
body
|health
|sports
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The soft, round part on the back of your lower leg, between your knee and your ankle.
The thick, muscular back part of the human lower leg between the knee and the ankle.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
a calf of [a large mammal]
We watched an elephant calf walking under its mother for protection.
Egy elefántborjút figyeltünk, ahogy az anyja alatt haladt, hogy védve legyen.
The whale calf surfaced next to its mother and sprayed water into the air.
A bálnaborjú felbukkant az anyja mellett, és vízsugarat fújt a levegőbe.
Park rangers monitor each bison calf during the first weeks of life.
The seal calf struggled on the rocks while its mother called from the water.
Documentaries often show a dolphin calf learning to hunt with the pod.
Learner examples
The elephant calf stays close to its mother.
Az elefántborjú az anyja közelében marad.
We saw a whale calf near the boat.
Egy bálnaborjút láttunk a hajó közelében.
A dolphin calf swam beside the group.
The park protects every bison calf.
The seal calf waited while the mother hunted.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "calf" is only for cows. In fact, it is also used for the young of some other large animals like elephants and whales. However, for many animals (like dogs or cats) you should use words like "puppy" or "kitten" instead.
Meaning
young of some large mammals
Collocations
elephant calf
|whale calf
|dolphin calf
|seal calf
Synonyms
baby [animal] (Very general and informal; you must name the animal (for example, "baby elephant") instead of using the more specific term "calf".)
Antonyms
adult (Describes a fully grown animal, the opposite life stage of a calf.)
Themes
animals
|science
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A baby of some big animals, for example an elephant, a whale, or a seal.
The young of certain large mammals such as elephants, whales, seals, and deer.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
4
borjúbőr
B2
Usage pattern:
a pair of [color] calf shoes
He wore polished brown calf shoes with his suit.
Az öltönyéhez fényesre polírozott barna borjúbőr cipőt viselt.
The handbag is made from soft Italian calf.
A kézitáska puha olasz borjúbőrből készült.
Calf leather is prized for its smooth texture and durability.
These boots come in suede and full‑grain calf.
The book was bound in dark blue calf with gold lettering.
Learner examples
She bought black calf shoes for work.
Fekete borjúbőr cipőt vett munkába.
This bag is made of soft calf leather.
Ez a táska puha borjúbőrből készült.
Calf is more expensive than normal leather.
The book has a cover of brown calf.
These boots are real calf, not plastic.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this use of "calf" with the animal itself. In fashion and materials, "calf" by itself can mean high‑quality leather made from a calf’s skin. The word "calfskin" is often clearer for learners.
Meaning
leather from a calf
Collocations
calf leather
|black calf shoes
|soft calf
|calf handbag
Synonyms
calfskin (More explicit and slightly more technical; clearly refers to the skin or leather, not the animal itself.)
Antonyms
synthetic leather (Man‑made material that imitates leather, contrasting with real calf leather.)
Themes
fashion
|materials
|clothing
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Soft leather made from the skin of a young cow, used for good shoes and bags.
Fine leather made from the skin of a young cow, used especially for shoes, bags, and other high‑quality goods.
Grammar
Dictionary form
calf
IPA
GB/kˈæf/
US/kˈæf/
Syllables & stress
calf (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (calf)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: calf
- Plural: calf, calves
Word family
Forms
calves
noun
Core family
calve
verb
Related words
veal
noun
Advanced or less common
calving
noun
calfskin
noun
Expressions
calf muscle
1/kˈæf mˈʌsəl/
fixed phrase
muscle at back of lower leg
The main muscle on the back of the lower part of your leg.
Examples
- I injured my calf muscle during the football match.
- Strong calf muscles help you jump higher.
- She goes to the gym to work on her calf muscles.
calf raise
1/kˈæf ɹˈeɪz/
fixed phrase
exercise for calf muscles
An exercise where you stand and lift your heels up and down to make your calf muscles stronger.
Examples
- Do three sets of ten calf raises to strengthen your lower legs.
- She finishes every workout with a long set of calf raises.
- Calf raises can be done on a step to increase the range of motion.
cow and calf
1/kˈaʊ ˈænd kˈæf/
fixed phrase
mother cow with her calf
A mother cow and her baby calf together.
Examples
- The farmer moved the cow and calf to a safer field.
- We saw a cow and calf standing by the river.
- The vet checked every cow and calf in the herd.
kill the fatted calf
1/kˈɪl ðə fˈætd kˈæf/
idiom
literary
celebrate with a special feast
To celebrate in a big way, especially with a special meal, when someone comes home or when there is very good news.
Examples
- When their son returned from overseas, they killed the fatted calf and invited the whole family.
- The company killed the fatted calf after winning the major contract.
- They are ready to kill the fatted calf if she agrees to come home for the holidays.
make calves' eyes at someone
1/mˈeɪk kˈævz ˈaɪz ˈæt sˈʌmwˌʌn/
idiom
informal
look at someone with longing
To look at someone in a very loving or admiring way, so that everyone can see you like them.
Examples
- He kept making calves' eyes at her all evening.
- She sat in the corner making calves' eyes at the new teacher.
- Teenagers were making calves' eyes at each other across the room.
pull a calf muscle
1/pˈʊl ə kˈæf mˈʌsəl/
fixed phrase
injure your calf muscle
To hurt your calf muscle by using it too hard or in a sudden way.
Examples
- He pulled a calf muscle while sprinting in the last lap.
- If you do not warm up properly, you can easily pull a calf muscle.
- She had to stop playing tennis after pulling a calf muscle.