English · Word Candidate

calf

/kɑːf/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: calfs

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A young cow or bull of any bovid, such as domestic cattle or buffalo.

Noun

Examples

And Goldenhorns calved. A great day in the wilderness, a joy and a delight. They gave her flour-wash, and Isak himself saw to it there was no stint of flour, though he had carried it all the way himself, on his back. And there lay a pretty calf, a beauty, red-flanked like her mother, and comically b

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Leather made of the skin of domestic calves; especially, a fine, light-coloured leather used in bookbinding.

Noun

Examples

We find now, that instead of leather made from sheep, calf, goat, and pig-skins, each having, when finished, its own characteristic surface, that sheepskins are got up to look like calf, morocco, or pigskin; that calf is grained to resemble morocco or so polished and fattened as to have but little c

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

The back of the leg below the knee.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

The muscle in the back of the leg below the knee.

Noun

Examples

Sure, his calves are a little weak, but the rest of his physique is so overwhelming, he should place high.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “calf” mean?

A young cow or bull of any bovid, such as domestic cattle or buffalo.

Is “calf” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.