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adjective

fallow

FA-loh

Fallow (adjective) means Left unplanted for a season or more to let the soil recover. Example: “The farmer let the northern field lie fallow this year.”

adjective
1
Left unplanted for a season or more to let the soil recover.
"The farmer let the northern field lie fallow this year."
2
Inactive or not being used or developed.
"His career had lain fallow for several years before the comeback."
noun
1
Land that has been plowed but deliberately left unseeded.
"The fallow stretched for acres beyond the barn."

How to use fallow

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFarmland deliberately left unplanted to rest, or more broadly, anything sitting unused or inactive.

Common pairings
lie fallow fallow field fallow period

Word forms

more fallow comparative, more fallow comparative, fallowed past tense, fallows plural, fallows singular, most fallow superlative, most fallow superlative

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The farmer let the northern field lie _____ this year.

Etymology

From Old English fealh ("fallow land"), related to Proto-Indo-European roots meaning "arable land."

Origin: Old English

Related words

Rhymes for fallow

See all rhymes for fallow →

Frequently asked questions

What does “fallow” mean?

The word “fallow” means left unplanted for a season or more to let the soil recover. In plain terms, farmland deliberately left unplanted to rest, or more broadly, anything sitting unused or inactive.

How do you pronounce “fallow”?

“Fallow” is pronounced FA-loh (/ˈfæloʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “fallow” in a sentence?

Here is “fallow” used in a sentence: “The farmer let the northern field lie fallow this year.”

What is another word for “fallow”?

Words with a similar meaning to “fallow” include dormant and latent.

What part of speech is “fallow”?

Depending on how it is used, “fallow” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “fallow” come from?

The word “fallow” comes from Old English. From Old English fealh ("fallow land"), related to Proto-Indo-European roots meaning "arable land.".

How many meanings does “fallow” have?

“Fallow” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: left unplanted for a season or more to let the soil recover.

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