wild oat

noun

1. any uncultivated species of Avena, especially a common weedy grass, A. fatua, resembling the cultivated oat.
2. a hardy plant, Uvularia sessilifolia, of the lily family, of eastern North America, having deep green, hairy leaves and greenish-yellow, tubular flowers.

wild oat

noun

1. any of several temperate annual grasses of the genus Avena, esp A. fatua, that grow as weeds and have long bristles on their flower spikes

Word History and Origins

Origin of wild oat¹

First recorded in 1490–1500

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. sow one's wild oats, to have a youthful fling at reckless and indiscreet behavior, especially to be promiscuous before marriage.

Example Sentences

Get your wild-oat sowing done as soon as possible and come back.

From Project Gutenberg

But Keller Bey has not seen the first green of his wild oat-sowing.

From Project Gutenberg

On every hand wheat and corn and clover had taken the place of the wild oat, the hazelbush and the rose.

From Project Gutenberg

They have all summer long called to each other from the reedy fens and wild oat-fields of the far north.

From Project Gutenberg

If one could have it now in the wild-oat season; but that isn't to be expected.

From Project Gutenberg