furrow

1 of 2

noun

fur·​row ˈfər-(ˌ)ō 

ˈfə-(ˌ)rō

1

a

: a trench in the earth made by a plow

b

: plowed land : field

2

: something that resembles the track of a plow: such as

a

: a marked narrow depression : groove

tracing a fingernail along a furrow in the corduroy of her housecoat

—Douglass Wallop

b

: a deep wrinkle

furrows in his brow

furrow

2 of 2

verb

furrowed; furrowing; furrows

transitive verb

: to make furrows, grooves, wrinkles, or lines in

intransitive verb

: to make or form furrows, grooves, wrinkles, or lines

Synonyms

Noun

• crease
• crimp
• crinkle
• wrinkle

Verb

• break
• plow

Examples of furrow in a Sentence

Noun

We plowed furrows in the field.

When he frowns a deep furrow forms in his brow.

Verb

His forehead furrows when he frowns.

we had to furrow the field before we could plant the wheat

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The rows of mountains appeared on the mainland to the north, receding into the mist, and the blue water churned a smoky white as the hull left broad furrows in its wake. —Greg Jackson, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024

Yet with every small furrow of her brow, Rowlands is somehow able to convey at least seven emotions at once. —Emma Madden, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2024

Verb

His father stood waiting for him with his arms folded and his brow furrowed. —John Blake, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024

Above this din—at a small desk inside the Mandala Hotel—Canadian archaeologist Raven Todd DaSilva furrows through a three-ring binder brimming with dividers and loose leaf paper. —Joe Sills, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English furgh, forow, from Old English furh; akin to Old High German furuh furrow, Latin porca

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing furrow

• plough a lone/lonely furrow
• plough one's own furrow
• plough the same furrow

Kids Definition

furrow

1 of 2 noun

fur·​row ˈfər-ō 

ˈfə-rō

1

: a trench in the earth made by or as if by a plow

2

: a narrow groove or wrinkle

furrow

2 of 2 verb

: to make furrows, grooves, wrinkles, or lines in

Medical Definition

furrow

noun

fur·​row ˈfər-(ˌ)ō, -ə(-w); ˈfə-(ˌ)rō, -rə(-w) 

1

: a marked narrow depression or groove

2

: a deep wrinkle