Niulang

noun

Niu·lang ˈnē-ü-ˈläŋ

: cowherd in Chinese folklore who fell in love with Zhinu, daughter of Yudi, and because their love was forbidden was banished to the opposite side of the Milky Way from her

Word History

Etymology

Chinese Niúláng, literally, "cowherd," from niú "ox, cattle" + láng "young man"

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of Niulang was in 1873

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

Niuean

Niulang

nival

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Niulang.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Niulang. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Niulang

noun

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes