sheep

noun

ˈshēp 

plural sheep

often attributive

1

: any of various hollow-horned typically gregarious ruminant mammals (genus Ovis) related to the goats but stockier and lacking a beard in the male

specifically : one (O. aries) long domesticated especially for its flesh and wool

2

a

: a timid defenseless creature

b

: a timid docile person

especially : one easily influenced or led

3

: leather prepared from the skins of sheep : sheepskin

see also:

wolf in sheep's clothing

Synonyms of sheep

• innocent
• angel
• lamb

Examples of sheep in a Sentence

he came to see that the members of the cult were sheep who naively went along with whatever their leader dictated

Recent Examples on the Web

And then my friend Eric had a friend who worked at … a farm down the Bitterroot called Lifeline, who raised cattle and sheep and made cheese. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

In the end, the sheep are probably the least of Charles’ problems. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Oct. 2026

With few neighbors to speak of, save for a few sheep or cows in nearby fields, there’ll be no arguing over bedrooms—the views from each and every one are bucolic. — Katie Silcox, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

French doors open from both bedrooms onto a cobbled terrace with seating overlooking the fields—a sweet spot for morning coffee among the horses, sheep, and the aforementioned vocal donkey. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English scēap; akin to Old High German scāf sheep

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sheep

• aoudad sheep
• Barbary sheep
• bighorn sheep
• black sheep
• blue sheep
• Dall sheep
• Dall's sheep
• fat-tailed sheep
• mountain sheep
• Rocky Mountain sheep
• separate the sheep from the goats
• sheep fescue
• sheep ked
• sheep laurel
• sheep's eye
• sheep sorrel
• sheep walk
• wolf in sheep's clothing

Rhymes for sheep

• beep
• cheap
• creep
• deep
• heap
• jeep
• keep
• leap
• peep
• reap
• seep
• sleep

Kids Definition

sheep

noun

ˈshēp 

plural sheep

1

: any of various cud-chewing mammals that are stockier than the related goats and lack a beard in the male

especially : one raised for its wool, skin, or flesh

2

: a weak helpless person who is easily led