willow
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.”
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.
Word forms
willowed past tense, willows plural, willows singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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
View more →Related words
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.'
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include willow: