A1noun1K

Sheep

UK /["/ʃiːp/"]/US /["/ʃiːp/"]/

Definition

an animal with a thick coat, kept on farms for its meat (called mutton or lamb) or its wool

In simple words: A farm animal that is raised for its wool, meat, and milk.

Examples

  • a flock of sheep
  • Sheep were grazing in the fields.
  • sheep farmers
  • These leaves are toxic to cattle and sheep.
  • My grandfather used to raise sheep in Australia.
  • The dogs herded the sheep into the pen.
  • a 4 000-acre sheep station in New South Wales
  • He sees it as his duty to take care of the lost sheep of the world.

Usage notes

Used in farming contexts, but can also appear in discussions about symbols or metaphors, like 'following like sheep'. Avoid using in overly technical or scientific discussions about animals.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Sounds like 'sheep' — imagine a soft, fluffy cloud that looks like a sheep in the sky.

Collocations

  • hill
  • mountain
  • lost
  • flock
  • herd
  • farm
  • keep
  • raise
  • graze
  • bleat
  • farm
  • ranch
  • station
  • a breed of sheep

Synonyms

  • lamb
  • ewes
  • ram
  • ovine
  • flock

Antonyms

  • wolf
  • predator
  • hunter

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'sheep' as a singular and plural; 'sheep' is both.
  • Using 'sheeps' as the plural form.
  • Mispronouncing it as 'sheep' with a long e instead of a short e.