“Maverick” usually means a person who is very independent, does not follow the usual rules, and often goes against the crowd in their thinking or behavior. It can also literally mean an unbranded calf or young cow that does not carry a ranch’s mark, which is where the figurative meaning came from.
Main modern meaning
Most often, “maverick” describes someone who:
- Thinks and acts independently instead of following group expectations.
- Is seen as unconventional or nonconformist, especially in politics, business, or creative fields.
Original literal meaning
The word originally referred to:
- An unbranded range animal, especially a stray calf not marked by any owner.
- It comes from Samuel Maverick, a 19th‑century Texan cattle owner known for not branding his cattle, so unbranded cattle started being called “mavericks.”
