51Թ

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View synonyms for

beef

[ beef ]

noun

plural beeves beefs
  1. the flesh of a cow, steer, or bull raised and killed for its meat.
  2. an adult cow, steer, or bull raised for its meat.
  3. Informal.
    1. brawn; muscular strength.
    2. strength; power.
    3. weight, as of a person.
    4. human flesh.
  4. Slang.
    1. a complaint.
    2. an argument or dispute.


verb (used without object)

  1. Slang. to complain; grumble.

verb phrase

    1. to add strength, numbers, force, etc., to; strengthen:

      During the riots, the nighttime patrol force was beefed up with volunteers.

    2. to increase or add to:

      to beef up our fringe benefits.

beef

/ ː /

noun

  1. the flesh of various bovine animals, esp the cow, when killed for eating
  2. 𱹱ː an adult ox, bull, cow, etc, reared for its meat
  3. informal.
    human flesh, esp when muscular
  4. beefs a complaint
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. slang.
    intr to complain, esp repeatedly

    he was beefing about his tax

  2. informal.
    troften foll byup to strengthen; reinforce
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • l adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of beef1

First recorded in 1250–1300; 1885–90 beef fordef 5; Middle English, from Anglo-French beof, Old French boef, from Latin bov- (stem of ō ) “ox, cow”; akin to cow 1
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of beef1

C13: from Old French boef , from Latin ō ox; see cow 1
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Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with beef , also see where's the beef .
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Baltimore Ravens: Edge Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M — Baltimore’s defense came on late last season, and the Ravens need to beef up what traditionally has been their signature.

From

Instead of a basic rice bowl with ground beef, why not make congee with soy-braised beef and lots of fresh herbs?

From

A popular burger known as the “Flying Dutchman” consists of two beef patties and two slices of cheese, with no bun.

From

It's a beef and arable farm, with a few lambs and pigs for their meat business selling to local customers.

From

He allegedly added that no one could “beef” with him because if they did, “I’ma kill him. Period. I. Am. Going. To. Murder. Him.”

From

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Related 51Թs

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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