furrow

[fur-oh, fuhr-oh]

noun

1. a narrow groove made in the ground, especially by a plow.

2. a narrow groovelike or trenchlike depression in any surface.

   the furrows of a wrinkled face.

verb (used with object)

1. to make a furrow or furrows in.

2. to make wrinkles in (the face).

   to furrow one's brow.

verb (used without object)

1. to become furrowed.

furrow

/ ˈfʌrəʊ /

noun

1. a long narrow trench made in the ground by a plough or a trench resembling this

2. any long deep groove, esp a deep wrinkle on the forehead

verb

1. to develop or cause to develop furrows or wrinkles

2. to make a furrow or furrows in (land)

Other Word Forms

• furrower noun
• furrowless adjective
• furrowlike adjective
• furrowy adjective
• unfurrowed adjective
• furrow-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of furrow¹

before 900; Middle English forwe, furgh, Old English furh; cognate with Old Frisian furch, Old High German fur ( u ) h ( German Furche ), Latin porca ridge between furrows

Word History and Origins

Origin of furrow¹

Old English furh ; related to Old Frisian furch , Old Norse for , Old High German furuh furrow, Latin porca ridge between furrows

Example Sentences

Redford often shunned the Hollywood limelight, preferring to plough his own furrow.

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“Trying to work out why it should be released was actually quite an obstacle,” he says with a furrowed brow, but still bearing a smile.

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It was clear from the furrowed brows of senior Labour figures by the middle of Tuesday that there was much more anxiety at the top of government than the public numbers would have suggested.

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While Argentina were elated at their first-half efforts, there were many furrowed Lions brows after a frustrating opening 40 minutes.

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Hine’s tousled little boy, who looks forlornly into the camera with scowling dark eyes beneath a furrowed brow, likely had no such liberating choice.

Read more on Los Angeles Times