bœuf/bœf/
noun · A2
nounmasculine
Meanings
ox (castrated adult male cattle used as a draft animal)
Refers chiefly to a castrated adult male bovine used as a draft animal.
bullock, steer; bull (male bovine)
General term for a male bovine; in some uses the exact sense (castrated or not) depends on context.
beef (meat of cattle)
Refers to beef as food, e.g. du bœuf.
jam session (especially in jazz)
Musicians’ jargon, especially in jazz, for an informal session often involving improvisation.
police officer (derogatory, slang); cop, pig
Slang and derogatory term for a police officer; considered coarse or offensive in many contexts.
Examples
Le fermier attelle le bœuf à la charrue avant l'aube.
The farmer harnesses the ox to the plow before dawn.
Ce bœuf est le plus imposant du troupeau.
This bull is the largest animal in the herd.
Nous avons acheté du bœuf pour préparer un ragoût.
We bought beef to make a stew.
Après le concert, les musiciens ont improvisé un bœuf jusqu'à minuit.
After the concert, the musicians improvised a jam session until midnight.
Collocations
- bœuf de traitdraft ox
- du bœuf hachéminced beef
- faire un bœufto have a jam session
Common mistakes
bœuf
flic
bœuf as slang for police is rare and coarse; beginners may misuse it.
Related words
synonymtaureaubull
synonymviande de bœufbeef meat
antonymvachecow
nounmasculine
Meanings
ox (castrated adult male cattle used as a draft animal)
Refers chiefly to a castrated adult male bovine used as a draft animal.
bullock, steer; bull (male bovine)
General term for a male bovine; in some uses the exact sense (castrated or not) depends on context.
beef (meat of cattle)
Refers to beef as food, e.g. du bœuf.
jam session (especially in jazz)
Musicians’ jargon, especially in jazz, for an informal session often involving improvisation.
police officer (derogatory, slang); cop, pig
Slang and derogatory term for a police officer; considered coarse or offensive in many contexts.
Examples
Le boeuf tirait lentement la charrue dans le champ humide.
The ox slowly pulled the plow through the wet field.
Le jeune boeuf s'est échappé de l'enclos pendant la réparation de la clôture.
The young bullock escaped from the enclosure while the fence was being repaired.
Nous avons acheté du boeuf pour préparer un ragoût dimanche.
We bought beef to make a stew on Sunday.
Après le concert, les musiciens se sont retrouvés dans un club pour faire un boeuf.
After the concert, the musicians met at a club for a jam session.
nounmasculine
Meanings
ox (castrated adult male cattle used as a draft animal)
Refers chiefly to a castrated adult male bovine used as a draft animal.
bullock, steer; bull (male bovine)
General term for a male bovine; in some uses the exact sense (castrated or not) depends on context.
beef (meat of cattle)
Refers to beef as food, e.g. du bœuf.
jam session (especially in jazz)
Musicians’ jargon, especially in jazz, for an informal session often involving improvisation.
police officer (derogatory, slang); cop, pig
Slang and derogatory term for a police officer; considered coarse or offensive in many contexts.
Examples
Les bœufs tiraient la charrue avant l'aube.
The oxen pulled the plough before dawn.
Les bœufs de cette race atteignent une grande taille à l'âge adulte.
The bulls of this breed grow very large as adults.
Les bœufs braisés ont mijoté toute la matinée.
The braised beef simmered all morning.
Les bœufs improvisés du festival ont attiré de nombreux musiciens.
The festival's improvised jam sessions attracted many musicians.