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
• wrinkle

Verb

• 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

Swaziland continued to plough its own political furrow against its larger neighbor until the end of apartheid. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 15 Aug. 2025

Morning arrived upon the sea where the ship was heading toward the horizon, that great slope made of other smaller slopes, which the ship tackles one after another, like an ant attacking one furrow after another. —Literary Hub, 22 July 2025

Verb

The agent glanced at the paper, furrowed his brow, and then looked back at Cristian. —Eric Cortellessa, Time, 10 June 2025

The waitress put down the coffee pot, furrowed her brow and stared into space for a moment. —Mark Gauert, Sun Sentinel, 8 June 2025

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

Rhymes for furrow

• boro
• burro
• burrough
• burrow
• thorough
• yarborough

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