fallow
/ˈfæləʊ/
Group 30Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Left unsown for a period to restore its fertility; inactive; undeveloped GRE
Example in Context
The artist's fallow period, during which she produced nothing, turned out to be essential preparation for the creative burst that followed.
Synonyms
unusedidledormant
Etymology
Land left uncultivated to regain its fertility.
- fallow (Old English) — uncultivated
Memory Aid
🐄Sounds like “fallow cow”
A lazy cow lounging in a sunlit field saying, 'I’m on a FALLOW vacation – no work, just chill!' while munching grass!
Visual Association
🌾A golden field resting peacefully under the sun, waiting to be planted again.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “fallow” mean on the GRE?
fallow (adjective) means “Left unsown for a period to restore its fertility; inactive; undeveloped”. The artist's fallow period, during which she produced nothing, turned out to be essential preparation for the creative burst that followed.
How to remember “fallow” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “fallow” sounds like “fallow cow”. A lazy cow lounging in a sunlit field saying, 'I’m on a FALLOW vacation – no work, just chill!' while munching grass!
What are synonyms for “fallow”?
Common synonyms: unused, idle, dormant.