noun
Uncommon
willow
WIHL-oh
Willow (noun) means a tree or shrub with long, slender, often drooping branches, usually found near water. Example: “A weeping willow trailed its branches into the river.”
noun
1
A tree or shrub with long, slender, often drooping branches, usually found near water.
"A weeping willow trailed its branches into the river."
"They planted a row of willows along the stream bank."
"The path followed the river beneath a tall willow whose branches touched the water."
2
In cricket, informal word for the bat, since willow wood is traditionally used to make them.
"He took the crease, willow in hand."
"The batter swung his willow and sent the ball over the boundary."
"She oiled her willow before the first match of the season."
How to use willow
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA graceful, often drooping tree common by rivers; in cricket slang, also the word for the bat itself.
Common pairings
weeping willow
willow tree
crack of the willow
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Word forms
- Plural
- willows
- Third person singular
- willows
- Past tense
- willowed
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A weeping _____ trailed its branches into the river.
Etymology
From Old English welig, an ancient Germanic word for the tree, related to a root meaning "to twist or bend" — fitting, given how flexible willow branches are.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for willow
See all rhymes for willow →Frequently asked questions
What does “willow” mean?
The word “willow” means a tree or shrub with long, slender, often drooping branches, usually found near water. In plain terms, a graceful, often drooping tree common by rivers; in cricket slang, also the word for the bat itself.
How do you pronounce “willow”?
“Willow” is pronounced WIHL-oh (/ˈwɪloʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “willow” in a sentence?
Here is “willow” used in a sentence: “A weeping willow trailed its branches into the river.”
What is another word for “willow”?
Words with a similar meaning to “willow” include withy.
What part of speech is “willow”?
“Willow” is a noun.
Where does the word “willow” come from?
The word “willow” comes from Old English. From Old English welig, an ancient Germanic word for the tree, related to a root meaning "to twist or bend" — fitting, given how flexible willow branches are.
Is “willow” a common word?
“Willow” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “willow” have?
“Willow” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tree or shrub with long, slender, often drooping branches, usually found near water.
Why is a cricket bat sometimes called a willow?
A cricket bat is informally called a willow because willow wood, particularly from the white willow tree, is traditionally used to make cricket bats due to its light weight and shock-absorbing qualities. The term is a metonym, naming the object after the material it is made from.
Where do willow trees typically grow?
Willow trees are usually found near water, such as riverbanks and wetlands, since they thrive in moist soil. Their long, slender, often drooping branches make them easy to recognize, especially in the case of the weeping willow.
Is 'willow' used only for trees?
No, besides naming the tree or shrub, willow is also informal cricket terminology for the bat itself, as in the phrase 'wielding the willow.'
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