cowboy
gb/kˈaʊbˌɔɪ/ us/kˈaʊbˌɔɪ/
A2
English
~ 8200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Person who works with cattle on ranches
A person who works on a ranch with cows and other animals, usually riding a horse to move the animals.
Usage pattern:
a cowboy works on [a ranch]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think a cowboy only appears in old movies and no longer exists in real life. In modern English, it still commonly means a real ranch worker, not just a film character.
Synonyms
ranch hand (Focuses on being a general worker on a ranch, not specifically on cattle or horseback work, but often overlaps.)
Antonyms
office worker (Works indoors at a desk, the opposite of the outdoor, physical work done by a cowboy.)
Collocations
working cowboy
|real-life cowboy
|cowboy hat
|cowboy boots
|Hollywood cowboy
Themes
jobs
|rural_life
|animals
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He spent his twenties as a cowboy on a large cattle ranch in Texas.
- The movie follows a young cowboy trying to save his family's land.
- Cowboys drove the cattle across the open range to the railhead.
- As a kid, he dreamed of being a real cowboy and riding the plains.
Learner examples
- The cowboy rides his horse across the field.
- A cowboy takes care of many cows on the ranch.
- The boy wants to be a cowboy when he grows up.
- We saw a cowboy wearing a big hat and boots.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Person who competes in rodeos
A person who rides bulls or wild horses and does roping and other events in a rodeo show.
Usage pattern:
[a cowboy] competes in [a rodeo]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes do not realize that a cowboy can be a sports competitor in modern rodeos, not only a ranch worker from history or movies.
Synonyms
rodeo rider (More specific to riding events; does not necessarily include all cowboy skills like roping or ranch work.)
Antonyms
spectator (Someone who only watches the rodeo instead of competing in it.)
Collocations
rodeo cowboy
|bull-riding cowboy
|bronco-riding cowboy
|professional cowboy
|champion cowboy
Themes
sports
|entertainment
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The young cowboy won first place in the bull-riding event.
- Dozens of cowboys lined up to compete in the weekend rodeo.
- She married a rodeo cowboy who travels from town to town.
- After years as a working ranch hand, he became a professional rodeo cowboy.
Learner examples
- The cowboy stayed on the bull for eight seconds.
- Many cowboys came to the town for the big rodeo.
- Her brother is a cowboy who rides horses in rodeos.
- The cowboy practices every day for the next rodeo.
Noun
informal
B2
entity
3
Irresponsible or unqualified worker
A worker who does not follow rules, is not careful, or is not trained, and often does bad or unsafe work.
Usage pattern:
a cowboy [profession]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this meaning is positive, because literal cowboys can be seen as brave heroes in films. In British and some international English, calling someone a "cowboy" in work usually criticizes them as unprofessional or dishonest.
Synonyms
cowboy operator (Often used for someone running a whole business in a dishonest or careless way, not just doing one job badly.)
Antonyms
professional (Someone who is trained, responsible, and careful about standards, the opposite of a cowboy in this sense.)
Collocations
cowboy builder
|cowboy plumber
|cowboy outfit
|cowboy contractor
|cowboy operation
|cowboy installer
Themes
work
|business
|quality
|law
Examples
- We made the mistake of hiring a cowboy builder, and the extension is already falling apart.
- This industry is full of cowboys who cut corners and disappear when something goes wrong.
- Only cowboys would install gas pipes like that without proper checks.
- The regulator warned that cowboy operators would be fined or shut down.
Learner examples
- The company was a cowboy outfit and took our money.
- We used a cowboy builder, and the work was very bad.
- Be careful. There are many cowboys who fix cars in this area.
- This plumber was a cowboy and did not follow safety rules.
Noun
informal
B2
entity
4
Overconfident or impulsive man (address)
A word used, usually to a man, when he is too excited, too fast, or trying to act too strong or brave, often in a joking way.
Usage pattern:
"Easy there, cowboy."
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this is just a literal job title. In conversations, especially when followed by a comma ("Easy there, cowboy"), it is a playful or critical way to address a man who is acting too strong, fast, or emotional.
Synonyms
tough guy (Suggests a man who wants to look strong or dangerous; "cowboy" here is often more playful or teasing.)
Antonyms
careful guy (A careful, cautious man is the opposite of the bold, impulsive behavior suggested by "cowboy" in this sense.)
Collocations
easy there, cowboy
|slow down, cowboy
|hold on, cowboy
|hey, cowboy
Themes
people
|behavior
|emotions
|communication
|relationships
Examples
- Easy there, cowboy—let's hear the whole story before we jump to conclusions.
- Slow down, cowboy; you can't fix this problem by shouting at everyone.
- "Relax, cowboy," she laughed, seeing how eager he was to impress.
- Hold on, cowboy, you need a plan before you start your own business.
Learner examples
- Easy there, cowboy. Please calm down.
- Slow down, cowboy. You are driving too fast.
- Relax, cowboy. We have plenty of time.
- Hold on, cowboy. Think before you act.
Grammar
Expressions
cowboy builder
1/kˈaʊbˌɔɪ bˈɪldɚ/
fixed phrase
informal
Dishonest or unqualified builder
A builder who is not well trained or honest and does very bad or unsafe work.
Examples
- They lost thousands of pounds after hiring a cowboy builder to do their extension.
- The TV show exposes cowboy builders who leave homes in a dangerous state.
- Always check reviews so you don't end up with a cowboy builder.
cowboy diplomacy
1/kˈaʊbˌɔɪ dɪplˈoʊməsi/
fixed phrase
Aggressive, unilateral foreign policy
A way a country deals with other countries that is very strong and aggressive, and does not care much about working together or following normal rules.
Examples
- Critics accused the administration of cowboy diplomacy in the Middle East.
- The leader's cowboy diplomacy worried allies who preferred a more careful approach.
- Some voters liked his cowboy diplomacy, seeing it as a sign of strength.
cowboy outfit
1/kˈaʊbˌɔɪ ˈaʊtfˌɪt/
idiom
informal
Dishonest or very unprofessional company
A company or group that does not follow rules, is not serious, and often cheats people or does very bad work.
Examples
- That car dealership is a total cowboy outfit—avoid them at all costs.
- We nearly signed a contract with a cowboy outfit before our lawyer warned us.
- The regulator promised to crack down on cowboy outfits in the industry.
cowboy up
1/kˈaʊbˌɔɪ ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
informal
Be brave and face difficulty
To be brave and deal with something hard without complaining or running away.
Examples
- You knew this job would be tough, so it's time to cowboy up and get it done.
- He told the team to cowboy up and finish the game even though they were tired.
- Sometimes you just have to cowboy up and have that difficult conversation.
like a cowboy
1/lˈaɪk ə kˈaʊbˌɔɪ/
fixed phrase
informal
In a rough or reckless way
In a way that is very rough, not careful, or too fast, like the way people imagine cowboys act in movies.
Examples
- He drove through the city like a cowboy, ignoring every speed limit.
- Don't just rush in like a cowboy—check the instructions first.
- She handles negotiations like a cowboy, pushing hard and taking big risks.