Cow vs. Man: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 5, 2023
Cow refers to a female bovine animal, often raised for milk or meat. Man refers to an adult human male.
Key Differences
A cow is primarily an animal in the bovine family, often domesticated for the production of milk, meat, or hides. The term "cow" is usually reserved for adult female cattle, while males are called "bulls." In agriculture and the dairy industry, cows play a significant role as producers of essential resources.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
On the other hand, "man" refers to an adult human male. The term is often used in a broader context to describe humanity or the human species in general. In society, men have various roles, including that of a father, worker, or leader. The word can also be used in an abstract sense to denote mankind's collective achievements or failures.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
In terms of language, "cow" and "man" serve different grammatical purposes. "Cow" is mainly a noun but can be used as a verb in the context of intimidating someone ("to cow"). "Man," besides being a noun, can also function as a verb to indicate staffing or occupying a position, as in "to man the station."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
While both terms can be used metaphorically, their scope and implications differ. "Cow" may be used to describe a timid or easily frightened person, while "man" can represent humanity or the human condition in philosophical discussions or literature.
Sara Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Grammatical Role
Noun, sometimes verb ("to cow")
Noun, sometimes verb ("to man")
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Cow and Man Definitions
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Cow
The mature female of certain other large animals, such as elephants, moose, or whales.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
A human or an adult male human belonging to a specific occupation, group, nationality, or other category. Often used in combination
A milkman.
A congressman.
A freeman.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cow
An adult female of the species Bos taurus, especially one that has calved.
Cow milk is the most common form of milk in Europe.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
A male human endowed with qualities, such as strength, considered characteristic of manhood.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cow
(formerly inexact but now common) Any member of the species Bos taurus regardless of sex or age, including bulls and calves.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cow
(uncommon) Any bovines or bovids generally, including yaks, buffalo, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cow
(biology) A female member of other large species of mammal, including the bovines, moose, whales, seals, hippos, rhinos, manatees, and elephants.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cow
A woman considered unpleasant in some way, particularly one considered nasty, stupid, fat, lazy, or difficult.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cow
To intimidate; to daunt the spirits or courage of.
Con artists are not cowed by the law.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
(Informal) Used as a familiar form of address for a man
See here, my good man!.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
(Games) Any of the pieces used in a board game, such as chess or checkers.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
Often Man(Slang) A person or group felt to be in a position of power or authority. Used with the
"Their writing mainly concerns the street life—the pimp, the junky, the forces of drug addiction, exploitation at the hands of 'the man'" (Black World).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cow
To depress with fear; to daunt the spirits or courage of; to overawe.
To vanquish a people already cowed.
THe French king was cowed.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cow
Subdue, restrain, or overcome by affecting with a feeling of awe; frighten (as with threats)
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
A human, a person regardless of gender, usually an adult. See usage notes.
Every man for himself
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
(collective) All humans collectively: mankind, humankind, humanity. Sometimes capitalized as Man.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
A male person, usually an adult; a (generally adult male) sentient being, whether human, supernatural, elf, alien, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
An adult male who has, to an eminent degree, qualities considered masculine, such as strength, integrity, and devotion to family; a mensch.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
A male enthusiast or devotee; a male who is very fond of or devoted to a specified kind of thing. Used as the last element of a compound.
Some people prefer apple pie, but me, I’m a cherry pie man.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
A person, usually male, who has duties or skills associated with a specified thing. Used as the last element of a compound.
I wanted to be a guitar man on a road tour, but instead I’m a flag man on a road crew.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
A person, usually male, who can fulfill one's requirements with regard to a specified matter.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
A male who belongs to a particular group: an employee, a student or alumnus, a representative, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
(sports) A player on whom another is playing, with the intent of limiting their attacking impact.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
(transitive) To supply (something) with staff or crew (of either sex).
The ship was manned with a small crew.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
(transitive) To take up position in order to operate (something).
Man the machine guns!
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
To brace (oneself), to fortify or steel (oneself) in a manly way. Compare man up.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
A human being; - opposed to beast.
These men went about wide, and man found they none,But fair country, and wild beast many [a] one.
The king is but a man, as I am; the violet smells to him as it doth to me.
'Tain't a fit night out for man nor beast!
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
An adult male person; a grown-up male person, as distinguished from a woman or a child.
When I became a man, I put away childish things.
Ceneus, a woman once, and once a man.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
The human race; mankind.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion.
The proper study of mankind is man.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
The male portion of the human race.
Woman has, in general, much stronger propensity than man to the discharge of parental duties.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
One possessing in a high degree the distinctive qualities of manhood; one having manly excellence of any kind.
This was the noblest Roman of them all . . . the elementsSo mixed in him that Nature might stand upAnd say to all the world "This was a man!"
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
An adult male servant; also, a vassal; a subject.
Like master, like man.
The vassal, or tenant, kneeling, ungirt, uncovered, and holding up his hands between those of his lord, professed that he did become his man from that day forth, of life, limb, and earthly honor.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
A term of familiar address at one time implying on the part of the speaker some degree of authority, impatience, or haste; as, Come, man, we 've no time to lose! In the latter half of the 20th century it became used in a broader sense as simply a familiar and informal form of address, but is not used in business or formal situations; as, hey, man! You want to go to a movie tonight?.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
A married man; a husband; - correlative to wife.
I pronounce that they are man and wife.
Every wife ought to answer for her man.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
One, or any one, indefinitely; - a modified survival of the Saxon use of man, or mon, as an indefinite pronoun.
A man can not make him laugh.
A man would expect to find some antiquities; but all they have to show of this nature is an old rostrum of a Roman ship.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
One of the piece with which certain games, as chess or draughts, are played.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
To supply with men; to furnish with a sufficient force or complement of men, as for management, service, defense, or the like; to guard; as, to man a ship, boat, or fort.
See how the surly Warwick mans the wall !
They man their boats, and all their young men arm.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
To furnish with strength for action; to prepare for efficiency; to fortify.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
An adult male person (as opposed to a woman);
There were two women and six men on the bus
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
Someone who serves in the armed forces; a member of a military force;
Two men stood sentry duty
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
The generic use of the word to refer to any human being;
It was every man for himself
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
All of the inhabitants of the earth;
All the world loves a lover
She always used `humankind' because `mankind' seemed to slight the women
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
A male subordinate;
The chief stationed two men outside the building
He awaited word from his man in Havana
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
An adult male person who has a manly character (virile and courageous competent);
The army will make a man of you
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
A male person who plays a significant role (husband or lover or boyfriend) in the life of a particular woman;
She takes good care of her man
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
A manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer;
Jeeves was Bertie Wooster's man
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
Game equipment consisting of an object used in playing certain board games;
He taught me to set up the men on the chess board
He sacrificed a piece to get a strategic advantage
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Man
Take charge of a certain job; occupy a certain work place;
Mr. Smith manned the reception desk in the morning
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
FAQs
Are there gender-specific terms for "cow"?
Yes, a male is called a "bull," and a young cow is a "calf."
Janet White
Sep 23, 2023
What's the primary context for "cow"?
Mostly agriculture and the dairy industry.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Is "cow" only female?
Generally, yes. The male counterpart is called a "bull."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Does "man" always refer to an adult male human?
No, "man" can also refer to humanity or the human species.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Is "cow" used metaphorically?
Less commonly, but it can describe a timid person.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can "cow" or "man" be pluralized?
Yes, "cows" and "men" are the plural forms.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Are there gender-specific terms for "man"?
The female counterpart is usually called a "woman."
Harlon Moss
Sep 23, 2023
Is "cow" a universal term?
Generally, yes, though its importance varies in different cultures.
Sara Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
Can "cow" and "man" be used interchangeably?
No, they refer to different entities and cannot be used interchangeably.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Is "man" used metaphorically?
Yes, it's often used to represent humanity or courage.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
Is "man" a universal term?
Generally, yes, but it has different connotations across cultures.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
