Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of scattering seeds: "sowing" refers to the process of planting seeds by scattering them on or in the ground.
   • Figurative meaning: The act of initiating or spreading something (e.g., ideas, discord) to produce future results.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The farmer completed the sowing before the rain came. (The act of planting seeds in the field.)
  • Her sowing of goodwill among the community led to lasting friendships. (The act of initiating positive relationships.)

Advanced Usage

• "sowing the seeds of": to initiate a process or situation that will develop over time.

  • The speech was sowing the seeds of revolution. (The speech began the process that would lead to revolution.)

• "sowing wild oats": to engage in youthful, reckless behavior, especially sexually, before settling down.

  • He spent his twenties sowing wild oats before getting married. (He engaged in carefree, irresponsible behavior.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sow (verb): to plant seeds by scattering them.

  • We sow the wheat in early spring. (We plant wheat seeds.)

• Sower (noun): a person or machine that sows seeds.

  • The sower walked across the field with a bag of seeds. (The person planting seeds.)

• Sown (past participle): the state of having been planted.

  • The seeds were sown last week. (The seeds were planted.)

Synonyms

• Planting: the act of placing seeds in the ground.
• Seeding: the process of scattering seeds for growth.
• Scattering: the act of spreading something loosely.

Idioms

• "Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind": to take actions that lead to severe consequences.

  • The company's dishonest practices will sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. (Their actions will cause major problems.)

• "As you sow, so shall you reap": your actions will determine your outcomes.

  • He treats others with kindness because as you sow, so shall you reap. (Good actions lead to good results.)