- a man who herds and tends cattle on a ranch, especially in the western U.S., and who traditionally goes about most of his work on horseback.
- a man who exhibits the skills attributed to such cowboys, especially in rodeos.
- a reckless or speedy automobile driver.
- a reckless or irresponsible person, especially a show-off or one who undertakes a dangerous or sensitive task heedlessly: They put foreign policy in the hands of cowboys.
- (during the American Revolution) a member of a pro-British guerrilla band that operated between the American and British lines near New York City.
- to work as a cowboy.
- a hired man who herds and tends cattle, usually on horseback, esp in the western US
- a conventional character of Wild West folklore, films, etc, esp one involved in fighting Indians
- informal
- a person who is an irresponsible or unscrupulous operator in business
- (as modifier)
- a man or boy who tends cattle
