What does ewe mean?
An ewe is an adult female sheep, the counterpart to the ram (the male) and distinct from lambs, which are young sheep regardless of sex. The word is indispensable in agriculture, where flocks are managed by counting ewes, tracking breeding ewes, and distinguishing them from wethers (castrated males). Beyond farmyard usage, the ewe has rich symbolic resonance: in the Bible and in classical literature, sheep — and ewes in particular — figure as emblems of gentleness, innocence, vulnerability, and the faithful flock guided by a shepherd. English speakers also meet the word in place names and personal names; Ewe is additionally the name of a people and language of Ghana and Togo, though that term has a separate origin and pronunciation. Because "ewe" is pronounced identically to the pronoun "you," writers sometimes exploit it for wordplay. For anyone reading pastoral poetry, scripture, or agricultural writing, this small, ancient word remains essential vocabulary.
nounAn ewe is an adult female sheep.
- An adult female sheep.
"The shepherd counted each ewe as it passed through the gate."
"The flock consisted of forty ewes and their spring lambs."
"In biblical imagery, a lost ewe became a lasting symbol of a soul gone astray."
Regular plural; note that "ewe" begins with a vowel sound despite starting with the consonant letter e, so we say "an ewe."
"The hillside was dotted with grazing ewes and their lambs."
An "ewe neck" is a real horse-conformation term: the animal's neck curves downward like an upside-down arch, just like a ewe's.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ewe
"Ewe" comes from Old English "eowu," the feminine form related to "eow" (sheep), tracing back to Proto-Germanic *awi-, which ultimately derives from the same Indo-European root as Latin "ovis" (sheep) — the source of words like "ovine." Cognates appear across Germanic languages, such as Dutch "ooi" and German "Aue." The word has been part of English since its earliest recorded stages.
How ewe is actually used
A homophone of "you," which occasionally produces puns and wordplay. The word carries pastoral, rural, and agricultural connotations rather than any emotional charge, and appears most often in farming, literary, and religious contexts.
Easily confused with ewe
"Ewe" is a female sheep, while "you" is the second-person pronoun — they are homophones but entirely unrelated in meaning.