Definition

The tail of an ox, often cooked and served as food, especially in soups or stews.

Example

The restaurant is famous for its delicious oxtail soup.

Conversation

Have you ever tried oxtail soup before?

Yeah, I had it at that new restaurant downtown last week!

What did you think? I heard it’s really flavorful with the oxtail.

It was delicious! The broth was rich, and the meat was so tender.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Oxtail → The word is formed from "ox" (from Old English "oxa", meaning a castrated male bovine) and "tail" (from Old English "tægel", meaning the appendage at the rear of an animal). Oxtail refers specifically to the tail of an ox, which is often used in cooking.

Memory Tip

Think of the Old English word for a castrated male bovine ('ox') and the appendage at the rear ('tail') to remember that oxtail is the tail of an ox.

Visually Confused Words