fallow — (of farmland) plowed and harrowed but left unsown for a period
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: (of farmland) plowed and harrowed but left unsown for a period
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈfæloʊ/
Example Sentences
- After three years of growing corn, the smart farmer let his field lie fallow to recover.
- My brain has been lying fallow since the semester ended - time to get back to studying!
- The company's innovation department remained fallow for months until the new CEO arrived.
fallow
ADJECTIVE[/ˈfæloʊ/]
(of farmland) plowed and harrowed but left unsown for a period
The farmer lets the field lie fallow this season so the soil can recover.
Above the fallow field, a swallow dips toward the shallow pool
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old English 'fealh' or 'fealwe', related to Germanic languages. The word originally referred to plowed land left unsown, possibly connected to the concept of pale or dull color (fallow deer are light brown), suggesting the land's barren appearance.
Breakdown
fallow: From Old English 'fealh' (plowed land) + -ow (adjective suffix) = fallow (adjective describing unsown farmland or the pale color of fallow deer)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“After three years of growing corn, the smart farmer let his field lie fallow to recover.”
“My brain has been lying fallow since the semester ended - time to get back to studying!”
“The company's innovation department remained fallow for months until the new CEO arrived.”
“His dating life has been fallow ever since he discovered online gaming.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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