What does sow mean?
Sow is most often a verb meaning to plant or scatter seeds, as in 'sow a field.' By extension, it can describe spreading ideas, information, or conditions: a speech may sow doubt, and a policy may sow the seeds of future reform. Its figurative uses often suggest that something is being introduced gradually and that consequences may follow. Sow is also a noun for an adult female pig, and the related verb can mean to give birth to pigs. These meanings reflect two separate words in English: the agricultural verb comes through Old English from a Germanic root shared with forms in German and Dutch, while the animal word has a different Germanic origin and cognates such as German Sau. Although the noun can sound blunt or insulting when directed at a woman, its literal meaning is straightforward and familiar in agriculture.
To plant or scatter seeds; by extension, to spread ideas, information, or discord.
"They sow the seeds of change through their writing."
The verb meaning 'to give birth to pigs' is a less common agricultural sense.
An adult female pig.
"The farmer led the sow and her piglets back to the barn."
The term is neutral in livestock contexts but derogatory when used as an insult for a woman.
The plural of the noun 'sow' is 'sows'; the same form is also the third-person singular present tense of the verb.
"The farm keeps several sows in separate pens."
Sow has two memorable lives: it names both the act of planting seeds and the mother pig whose litter can be a whole farm's future.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sow come from?
The agricultural verb descends from Old English sāwian, meaning 'to sow,' and ultimately from a Germanic root associated with English seed, German säen, and Dutch zaaien. The animal word has a separate origin: it comes from Old English sugu, 'female pig,' and is cognate with German Sau. The verb meaning 'to give birth to pigs' developed in association with this female animal.
Related word forms
How sow is actually used
The literal agricultural sense is neutral. Figurative uses such as 'sow discord' are formal or literary and can imply deliberately spreading something harmful. The verb meaning 'to give birth to pigs' is relatively uncommon and mainly associated with swine breeding. As a noun, sow simply means an adult female pig, but using it as an insult for a woman is derogatory and offensive.
Easily confused with sow
To sow is to plant or scatter seeds, whereas to sew is to join pieces of fabric or other material with thread.