moo

Pasture's deep bellow

Moo is the characteristic low, prolonged sound made by cattle.

As a verb, to moo is to make this sound: The cows mooed at feeding time.

The word is onomatopoeic—it sounds like what it describes.

bovine

cow

Female bovine

cattleDomesticated bovines kept commercially
calfJuvenile cow or leg part
bullSteer before castration

heifer · steer · dairy · herd · udder · milking · jersey · angus · guernsey · livestock

sound

low

Not elevated

bellowLoud, deep cry
lowingCattle's mournful cry
vocalizationProducing sounds with voice

call · cry · bleat · neigh · bray · grunt · snort · rumble · bawl

pastoral

meadow

Grassy field for grazing

pastureGrazing ground for livestock
grasslandTreeless herb-covered ecosystem
countrysideRural area beyond towns

rural · farm · barnyard · paddock · grazing · bucolic · idyllic · peaceful · tranquil · fence

slang

complain

Express discontent verbally

gripeVoice minor displeasure
whineComplain in high pitch
grumbleLow, discontented murmuring

bellyache · grouse · kvetch · moan · fuss · protest · nag · carp · bemoan

Categories

natural soundsthunder, rain, wind, birdsong, waves
animal soundsbark, meow, woof, roar, hiss
knock-knockswho's there, boo, lettuce, orange you glad, olive
cattle soundslow, lowing, bellow, bellowing, bawl
ThaiBangkok, baht, Muay Thai, pad thai, tom yum
Scotsaye, wee, nae, ken, couldnae

Opposites

animal vocalization type

Sheep's wavering cry

baa · oink · cluck · neigh · whinny

sound quality

Short, shrill cry

chirp · peep · screech · shriek · yip

Phrases

moo cowChildish term for bovine
moo shu porkStir-fried meat with thin wrappers
moo shuChinese stir-fry in wrappers
moo goo gai panCantonese chicken with mushrooms
moo shooChinese pancake dish
moo juiceSlang for cow's milk

Family

mooing, moos, mooed

Familiarity: Top 20,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G