ovis
[ˈɔ.wɪs]feminine
The Latin word for sheep is ovis.
The word refers to the animal known as a sheep.
Meaning: animal (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
ovis is the nominative singular form of the noun. The plural form for sheep is oves, and the genitive plural form is ovium (meaning 'of sheep').
Did you know?
- In some Roman contexts, the sheep ovis was associated with purity and was used in specific religious sacrificial rituals to appease the gods.
- The Latin ovis is closely related to the Sanskrit word avi, since both come from the same Indo-European word for 'sheep'.
- The term ovis appears in the scientific name for the domestic sheep, Ovis aries, which is used globally by biologists regardless of their native language.
Examples in context
- Ovis nigra familiae sum.I'm the black sheep of the family.This sentence shows how to use ovis.Tatoeba #1319494 by alexmarcelo, translation #320340 by CK
- Is ovis nigra familiae est.He's the black sheep of the family.Tatoeba #1319493 by alexmarcelo, translation #1133168 by CK
- Didymus ovis nigra familiae est.Tom is the black sheep of his family.Tatoeba #1319492 by alexmarcelo, translation #1024840 by CK
- Ovis est animal gregarium.Sheep are herd animals.
- Oves in ovile coguntur.The sheep are gathered into the sheepfold.
- Ovīculae in collibus pascentur.The little sheep will graze on the hills.
- Pecora in vallibus vagantur.The sheep wander in the valleys.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Claudia and Quintus are walking through a field.
- ClaudiaVide, Quinte! Ovis in agro est.Look, Quintus! A sheep is in the field.
- QuintusIta, Claudia. Ovis lac dat.Yes, Claudia. The sheep gives milk.
- ClaudiaOvis haec est nivea.This sheep is snow-white.
- QuintusPulchra est ovis.The sheep is beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sheep” translations and entries ovis, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
