Reading Theme:
Sheep Meaning: Animal & Follower Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：woolly farm animal (sheep)
sheep
/ʃiːp/
n.
A farm animal with thick curly hair called wool. People keep them for their wool, meat, and skin.
woolly farm animal
➕
/ˈwʊli fɑːrm ˈænɪml/
n.
A domesticated ruminant animal with a thick woolly coat, kept for its wool, meat, and milk.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old English 'scēap', of West Germanic origin.
💡 Mnemonic
Picture a sheep's fluffy wool spelling 's-h-e-e-p' as you stroke it.
📖 Example
Sheep are often seen grazing peacefully in green fields, their thick wool keeping them warm in all seasons.
Sheep are often seen grazing peacefully in green fields, their thick wool keeping them warm in all seasons.
🔗 Collocations
a flock of sheep – a group of sheep kept together on a farm
sheep farming – the practice of raising sheep for wool, meat, or milk
black sheep – a person who is considered a disgrace or outlier in a group
🔄 Synonyms
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'sheep' originates from Old English 'scēap'. In English culture, sheep symbolize both pastoral innocence and, metaphorically, passive followers (as in 'sheeple').
Meaning 2：passive follower (sheep)
sheep
/ʃiːp/
n.
A person who does not think for themselves and just follows what other people do or say.
passive follower
➕
/ˈpæsɪv ˈfɒləʊər/
n.
A person who follows others without critical thinking, often used in a derogatory sense.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Don't be a sheep and just buy the latest phone because everyone else is; think about what you really need.
Don't be a sheep and just buy the latest phone because everyone else is; think about what you really need.
🔗 Collocations
like sheep – following others blindly, without independent thought
sheep mentality – a mindset that encourages uncritical conformity
follow the herd – to do what everyone else does, often without reason
🔄 Synonyms
follower (n.) – a person who supports and is guided by another, often uncritically
conformist (n./adj.) – a person who behaves in accordance with prevailing standards, lacking originality
yes-man (n.) – a person who always agrees with their superiors in order to gain approval
🚫 Antonyms
leader (n.) – a person who guides or directs others, often with independent thinking
individualist (n.) – a person who thinks and acts independently, disregarding social conformity
nonconformist (n./adj.) – a person who refuses to conform to established customs or attitudes
🌱 Derivatives
sheeple (n.) – a derogatory term for people who are easily led, blending 'sheep' and 'people'
sheepish (adj.) – showing embarrassment from being caught doing something, like a sheep
sheep-like (adj.) – resembling a sheep in being docile or easily led
Wordbook
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