calf

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈkaf How to pronounce calf (audio) ˈkäf How to pronounce calf (audio)
dialectal also
ˈkāf How to pronounce calf (audio)
plural calves ˈkavz How to pronounce calf (audio)
ˈkävz, 
ˈkāvz
 also calfs
Synonyms of calfnext
often attributive
1
a
: the young of the domestic cow
also : that of a closely related mammal (such as a bison)
b
: the young of various large animals (such as the elephant or whale)
2
plural calfs : the hide of the domestic calf
especially : calfskin
3
: an awkward or silly youth
calflike
ˈkaf-ˌlīk How to pronounce calf (audio)
ˈkäf-
dialectal also ˈkāf-
adjective
see also:
in calf

calf

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural calves ˈkavz How to pronounce calf (audio)
ˈkävz
: the fleshy back part of the leg below the knee
The cat rubbed against her calves.

Examples of calf in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Sabally’s younger sister Nyara, who plays for the Toronto Tempo, is yet to make her comeback from a calf injury, while Liberty’s Leonie Fiebich, another key player, is just back from a foot injury. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 Ponds could be an X-factor, but the second-round pick missed all but one training camp practice because of a calf strain. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026 About the center position Nick Allegretti, who was unofficially tabbed as the team’s starting center following Tyler Biadasz’s exit, missed most of training camp and all of preseason because of a calf injury. — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Nationals starter Cade Cavalli left the game after taking Javier Sanoja’s liner off Cavalli’s right calf with two out in the fourth. — Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for calf

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, going back to Old English cælf, plural calfur (Anglian), cealf (West Saxon), going back to Germanic *kalƀaz, *kalƀiz-, neuter s-stem (whence also Old Saxon kalf "young of a cow," Old High German kalb, Old Norse kalfr, and, from a derivative *kalƀōn-, Old High German kalba "female calf," Gothic kalbo), of uncertain origin

Note: Associated with Greek delphýs "womb," Sanskrit garbha- "womb, fetus," going back to Indo-European *gwelbhu- (see -adelphous), but the expected outcome of an ablaut form *gwolbh-es- would be Germanic *kwalb-iz-, which does not match the attested forms.

Noun (2)

Middle English, borrowed from Old Norse kalfi "calf of the leg," going back to a Germanic source probably akin to early Modern Dutch kalf "swelling of the hand or foot," Old High German wazzerchalp "edema," German dialect Kalb "muscle"

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of calf was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing calf

Rhymes for calf

See All Rhymes for calf

Browse Nearby Words

Caley pea
calf
calf's-foot jelly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Calf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calf. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

calf

1 of 2 noun
ˈkaf How to pronounce calf (audio)
ˈkȧf
plural calves ˈkavz How to pronounce calf (audio)
ˈkȧvz
1
a
: the young of the domestic cow
b
: the young of various other large animals (as the elephant or whale)
2
plural calfs : calfskin

calf

2 of 2 noun
plural calves
: the fleshy or muscular back part of the leg below the knee
Etymology

Noun

Old English cealf "young cow"

Noun

Middle English calf "part of the leg"; of Norse origin

Medical Definition

calf

noun
ˈkaf, ˈkȧf How to pronounce calf (audio)
plural calves ˈkavz, ˈkȧvz How to pronounce calf (audio)
: the fleshy back part of the leg below the knee

More from Merriam-Webster on calf

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for calf

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