Cambridge Dictionaries online Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English

  

cowboy

noun [C] (DISHONEST PERSON)
 
 
/ˈkaʊ.bɔɪ/ UK informal

Definition

someone who is not honest, careful, or skilful in their trade or business, or someone who ignores rules that most people obey and is therefore not considered to be responsible: Those builders are a bunch of cowboys - they made a terrible job of our extension.DishonestInability and awkwardnessInconsiderateSelfishness
(Definition of cowboy noun (DISHONEST PERSON) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“cowboy” in other dictionaries

Word of the Day

ride (out) the storm

to manage not to be destroyed, harmed or permanently affected by the difficult situation you...

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More