lamb
lamb Lexical Profile
lamb Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A young sheep, typically one that is under a year old.
"The children watched the newborn lamb take its first wobbly steps in the spring meadow."
The flesh of a young sheep used as food.
"We roasted a leg of lamb seasoned with garlic and fresh rosemary for Sunday dinner."
A person who is gentle, innocent, or weak, often inspiring affection or pity.
"She was an absolute lamb to help us clean up the entire hall after the charity event."
• verb
To give birth to a lamb (specifically of a sheep).
"The ewe lambed successfully during the night without any need for veterinary assistance."
Word Nuance & Usage
In culinary contexts, 'lamb' refers specifically to the meat of a sheep less than a year old, whereas 'mutton' refers to the meat of an adult sheep.
• Rhymes for lamb
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'lamb', from Proto-Germanic 'lambaz', possibly derived from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to spring' or 'to jump'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.