maverick — a person who thinks and acts independently, refusing to conform to the group
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a person who thinks and acts independently, refusing to conform to the group
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈmævərɪk/
Example Sentences
- The maverick CEO decided to give all employees a four-day work week.
- She's always been a maverick, choosing to study art instead of medicine like her parents wanted.
- The maverick detective solved crimes by completely ignoring standard procedures.
maverick
NOUN[/ˈmævərɪk/]
a person who thinks and acts independently, refusing to conform to the group

The lone maverick rancher refuses to brand his cattle like everyone else.

MAVERICK(unbranded) — refusing to brand his cows with hot iron like everyone else, the independent rancher proved his true maverick spirit.

Instead of breaking the hard brick with a standard martial arts trick, the wild maverick simply smashed it with his bare head.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Samuel A. Maverick, a 19th-century Texas rancher who refused to brand his cattle, allowing them to roam unmarked. His name became synonymous with an independent, unbranded individual who doesn't follow conventions.
Breakdown
Not a morpheme-based word. Rather, it's an eponym derived from the proper name 'Maverick' that became a common noun through metaphorical extension (unmarked cattle → nonconformist person).
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The maverick CEO decided to give all employees a four-day work week.”
“She's always been a maverick, choosing to study art instead of medicine like her parents wanted.”
“The maverick detective solved crimes by completely ignoring standard procedures.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.