2 syllables: fal, low. Stress on fal.
FAL-oh
/ˈfæˌloʊ/
fallow is pronounced FAL-oh (/ˈfæˌloʊ/). It has two syllables (fal-low), with the stress on "fal". Fallow describes land left unplanted for a growing season to restore fertility, or more broadly something idle or undeveloped. It implies deliberate inactivity for future benefit. In farming, it signals a planned rest period; in metaphorical use, it can refer to paused activity or unproductive years.
Fallow describes land left unplanted for a growing season to restore fertility, or more broadly something idle or undeveloped. It implies deliberate inactivity for future benefit. In farming, it signals a planned rest period; in metaphorical use, it can refer to paused activity or unproductive years.
"The farmer left the field fallow to rejuvenate the soil."
"After years of rapid expansion, the company entered a fallow period to regroup."
"Her fallow creativity finally sparked new ideas after a long drought."
Pronounce as /ˈfæ.loʊ/ in US and UK; two syllables with primary stress on the first. The first vowel is a shortæ as in cat, the second is a long -oʊ diphthong. Tip: keep the first syllable crisp and punchy, then glide into the rounded, open -oʊ sound. You can listen to native recordings on Pronounce or Forvo to confirm the /æ/->/oʊ/ transition.
Common errors include turning the first vowel into a broader /æ/ in some dialects or flattening the second syllable into a schwa. Another mistake is conflating with 'fall' by shortening the second syllable. Correct these by lengthening the second vowel into a clear /oʊ/ and preserving a distinct first syllable with /æ/. Practice by saying 'FAL-low' with a light, rounded mouth for /oʊ/.
In General American, /ˈfæloʊ/ with a strong second syllable vowel /oʊ/. UK tends to preserve similar /ˈfæl.oʊ/ with less rhotics influence on the second vowel, and Australians typically keep /ˈfæləʊ/ or /ˈfæl.əʊ/, with a slightly reduced second syllable. All share two syllables, but vowel quality in the second syllable can be slightly more rounded in AU. Pay attention to stable /oʊ/ for both US and UK, with minor regional vowel shifts.
The difficulty lies in the subtle shift from the short æ to the long diphthong oʊ, especially if you’re not careful with vowel duration. Some speakers insert a schwa in the second syllable, producing /ˈfæləʊ/ or /ˈfælə/. Another challenge is keeping the first syllable crisp while smoothly gliding into the /oʊ/ without breaking the flow. Mind the mouth shape: a crisp open front vowel then a rounded, relaxed glide.
A notable feature is the two-syllable structure with a distinct stop between syllables, and the potential for a subtle vowel reduction in rapid speech. You should maintain a clear /æ/ in the first syllable and a prominent /oʊ/ in the second even in connected speech. In careful speech, you’ll hear the stress exactly on the first syllable, reinforcing the two-beat rhythm that helps listeners identify the word quickly.
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Fallow comes from Old English fallia, related to the verb fallan meaning to strike or fall, which over time evolved to describe land that lies fallow (unplanted) to yield better crops later. The core sense extends from the agricultural practice of leaving fields unsown and sometimes lying fallow for a season, to allow nutrients to replenish. The noun form became established in Middle English; by the late medieval period, writers used fallow to describe not just land, but any period of rest or inactivity. In modern usage, fallow retains both the literal farming sense and a figurative sense of something temporarily unused in expectation of future benefit. First known usage appears in texts from the 13th–14th centuries in agricultural records and legal descriptions of land management, with later literature expanding to describe idle periods in business and personal life.
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Help others use "fallow" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "fallow" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "fallow" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "fallow"
-low sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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