Word
sow
/ˈsaʊ/
Forms
Infinitive
sow
Past
sowed
Past participle
sown / sowed
Definitions
01to plant seeds
v. to plant seeds in the earth so that they will grow.
v. to scatter or plant seeds in or on the ground for growth. Ambitransitive — may be used with or without a direct object.
“In early spring, the farmers sow the fields with wheat and corn.”
“After the first frost had passed, the gardeners began to sow the wildflower seeds across the meadow to ensure a vibrant summer display.”
Pitfall
The farmer sowed the seeds on the ground.
The farmer sowed the field with seeds.
While you can sow seeds, you usually sow a 'field' or 'area' with something.
02to spread ideas or feelings
v. to spread ideas, feelings, or doubts, especially bad ones.
v. to propagate or spread something, typically an abstract quality like discord or doubt, in a figurative sense.
“His constant lies began to sow doubt among his closest friends.”
“The political agitators sought to sow seeds of division within the community long before the election took place.”
Literary
03female pig
n. an adult female pig.
n. an adult female porcine animal, especially one that has had a litter.
“The sow stayed close to her piglets to keep them warm and safe.”
“The farmer separated the mature sow from the rest of the herd to provide a quiet environment for farrowing.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
Idioms
reap what one sows — To receive as a return or reward in the same measure as one's exertions or intentions, in a good or a bad sense; to receive justice or one's just deserts.
sow dragon's teeth — To perform an action that inadvertently leads to trouble.
sow one's wild oats — To spread one's genes around by impregnating many females.
sow the seeds of — To carry out a certain action which will eventually bring about a particular result.
Domains
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/sow