What does ploughed mean?
“Ploughed” is the past tense and past participle of “plough,” a chiefly British verb meaning to turn and break up soil with an agricultural implement. The word also describes making a forceful path through difficult material, as in ploughing through deep snow, mud, or crowded traffic, and it can be used figuratively for working steadily through a demanding task. In American English, the equivalent spelling is usually “plowed,” although “ploughed” remains understandable. In its agricultural sense, the word evokes the repetitive and transformative work of preparing land for planting. In extended uses, it suggests determination and persistence: a person who ploughs through a difficult report or conversation keeps making progress despite obstacles.
verbThe past tense and past participle of “plough”: to turn and break up soil with a plough, or to move forcibly through a difficult surface such as snow, mud, or dense traffic. It can also mean to work hard through a difficult task.
- Turned and broken up soil with a plough.
- Moved forcibly or laboriously through snow, mud, rough ground, or traffic.
- Figuratively, worked steadily through a difficult task or body of material.
"After the storm, the farmer ploughed the waterlogged fields and the driver ploughed through the snow."
"The farmer ploughed the field before sowing the seeds."
"She ploughed through the report and finished the most important sections first."
A single furrow can turn an entire field into a pattern, making ploughing one of agriculture’s most powerful transformations.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ploughed come from?
The word descends from Old English “plōg,” meaning a plough or the act of ploughing, and developed through Middle English forms such as “plouh” and “plowgh.” It belongs to a Germanic family that includes Dutch “ploeg” and German “Pflug.” The spelling with “-ough-” became established in British English, while the simplified “plow” became dominant in American English.
Related word forms
How ploughed is actually used
In contemporary British English, “ploughed” is the usual form; “plowed” is more common in American English. The figurative sense is especially common in expressions such as “plough through,” where it suggests persistent, effortful progress.
Easily confused with ploughed
“Plowed” is the usual US spelling of the same word, while “ploughed” is the standard British spelling.
“Plowed over” can mean driven down by a vehicle or, figuratively, defeated or disregarded; “ploughed” by itself more commonly refers to using a plough or forcing a way through a difficult surface.