maverick

maverick — noun

1. a person who chooses their own way of thinking and behaving, without following t

1.nounB2
Definition

a person who chooses their own way of thinking and behaving, without following the usual patterns expected by their group or society

Example

At a firm full of rule-followers, Hari was a maverick who questioned every policy.

countable noun + relative clause describing independent behaviour

The director was a maverick whose bold style made her famous but worried investors.

Common collocations
  • political maverick
  • maverick politician
  • maverick within
Synonyms
  • rebel

    more confrontational; a rebel actively fights against authority rather than simply going their own way

  • nonconformist

    focuses on social convention and lifestyle rather than on independent thinking

  • individualist

    emphasises self-reliance and personal freedom, often in philosophical or economic contexts

  • dissenter

    specifically disagrees with an official opinion or policy, especially in politics or religion

Antonyms
  • conformist

    someone who follows accepted customs and rules without questioning them

  • follower

    someone who accepts the leadership or opinions of others without independent thought

Usage Note

Often carries a positive or admiring tone, suggesting courage to stand apart. In political contexts, it can also imply unpredictability or unwillingness to cooperate with party discipline.

Common Mistakes

The senator mavericked against his party.
The senator was a maverick within his party.
Maverick is a noun or adjective, not a verb.
She is a rebel who prefers quiet independence.
She is a maverick who prefers quiet independence.
A rebel actively opposes authority; a maverick simply follows their own path.

2. a calf raised without a rancher's identifying mark burned into its hide, so by t

2.nounC1
Definition

a calf raised without a rancher's identifying mark burned into its hide, so by tradition it goes to whoever catches and brands it first

Example

The rancher discovered a maverick among his herd and branded it with his mark.

maverick + verb: brand / mark / claim

In the old West, any maverick on open land belonged to whoever caught it.

active verb: maverick belonged to [someone]

Common collocations
  • round up mavericks
  • maverick calf
  • brand a maverick
Synonyms
  • stray

    emphasises that the animal has wandered away from its herd rather than its branding status

  • unbranded calf

    a literal description rather than a single word; functionally identical in meaning

Usage Note

Almost exclusively used in historical or ranching contexts. The legal tradition that an unbranded calf belongs to whoever brands it first is the historical origin of the word's modern sense.

maverick — adjective

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These words describe people who do not follow the crowd, but they differ in attitude and context. A maverick follows their own path without necessarily opposing authority — the word often carries admiration. A rebel actively fights against or refuses to obey rules or those in power, giving it a more confrontational tone. A nonconformist refuses to behave according to social conventions, with the focus on lifestyle and appearance. An individualist values personal freedom and self-reliance above group goals, often in philosophical or economic settings. A dissenter openly disagrees with an official opinion or policy, especially in politics or religion. For example, a maverick politician might vote against their own party on principle, while a rebel politician would try to overthrow the leadership entirely.

maverick ↗rebel ↗nonconformistindividualistdissenter

Common collocations

Prepositions

Etymology

American English (proper name)English

From the name of Samuel Maverick (1803–1870), a Texas rancher who famously refused to brand his cattle with the customary ownership marks used by other ranchers. During roundups, any unbranded calf was called a 'maverick' by association. By the late 1800s, the word had broadened to describe any person who acts independently of group norms.