Fallow
/ˈfæloʊ/
adjectivenounverbB2
Definition
Fallow means land that is not used for growing crops for some time to let the soil rest and become better for future planting. It can also describe a period when activity, work, or growth stops or slows down. This idea comes from farming but is used in other areas too.
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See It in Action
Land left without crops to rest and improve soil
- •The farmer left the field fallow for a year to improve the soil quality.
- •Fallow land looks empty but is important for farming cycles.
- •After several years of planting, the soil needs to be fallow to recover nutrients.
A period of inactivity or no progress in work or creativity
- •The artist went through a fallow period when she didn’t create any new paintings.
- •The company experienced a fallow year with no new product development.
- •Sometimes, fallow times help people prepare for future success.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "fallow" like "rest" (A1 word), but for land or time—it's not active or growing now but preparing for future use
- ✓Picture a field with no plants, just soil resting under the sun, waiting to be planted again
- ✓It's the feeling of taking a break to get stronger or better later, like when you stop working to relax and recover
- ✓Sounds like "FALLOW" → imagine a "follow"-up step where you pause before continuing
- ✓Remember farmers leaving fields empty sometimes to keep the soil healthy, not wasting land but helping it recover
- ✓NOT like "empty" (which means nothing there), "fallow" means empty on purpose to help growth later
- ✓NOT like "abandoned" (left forever), "fallow" is temporary and planned
- ✓NOT like "busy" or "active," fallow means quiet and resting but with future plans
Try Other Words
- •Idle: not active or working (Use when talking about machines, people, or land not used but with a negative or neutral feeling)
- •Unused: not used at all (Use when something is not used but without the idea of planned rest or recovery)
- •Dormant: temporarily inactive but able to become active again (Use for plants, volcanoes, or periods of inactivity with future potential)
- •Resting: taking a break (Use for people or animals, less for land or abstract periods)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix; base word "fallow")
- •Etymology: From Old English "fealgian" meaning to till or break up land; related to Germanic roots about turning soil
- •Historical development: Originally used for farming land left unplanted to recover; first recorded in English in the 14th century
- •Modern usage: Used in farming, ecology, and metaphorically for times of inactivity or rest in work or creativity
Reflect & Connect
•How can a fallow period be helpful in your own life or work?
•Can you think of times when being "fallow" is better than always being busy?
Fill in the blanks
1.The farmer left the field fallow ___ the soil could ___ nutrients before planting again.
2.During a fallow period, people or companies often ___ new ideas or projects.
3.Fallow land looks ___, but it is actually preparing for ___ growth.
4.Unlike abandoned land, fallow land is left empty ___ a ___ purpose.
5.When creative work is fallow, it means the person is ___ active but may be ___ soon.
6.The garden was fallow last season because the owner wanted to ___ the soil.
7.After a fallow year, the business finally started ___ new products again.