A noun referring to a powered machine used for cutting grass. It typically has a rotating blade beneath a deck that shaves the lawn as it is pushed or guided along. Commonly found in home, garden, and outdoor maintenance contexts, the phrase denotes both the device and its grassy function.
"I bought a new lawn mower to replace the old one."
"Before you start mowing, check the blade for nicks and wear."
"In spring, I mow the lawn every weekend to keep the grass even."
"The lawn mower stopped working, so I need to repair it or replace it."
The term lawn mower derives from the combination of lawn (a well-kept grass area) and mower (a device that mows). The concept originated in the 19th century with mechanized grass-cutting tools complementing the urbanization and landscaped estates of Europe and North America. Early mowing devices included scythes and manual push mowers; the first mechanical lawn mower was invented by Edwin Beard Budding in 1830 in England, designed to cut napier grass for textile mills and lawns alike. Budding’s design used a horizontally mounted cylinder blade with a rising cutting edge, powered by manual wheels and a gearing system. Over the 19th and early 20th centuries, improvements focused on efficiency, safety, and maneuverability, leading to the modern gas-powered and electric lawn mowers of today. In American English, the two-word phrase became standard as suburban lawn care expanded post-World War II, with “lawn” carrying connotations of domestic propriety and outdoor leisure. The word “mower” evolved from “mow” plus the agent suffix “-er,” indicating an instrument that mows. Today, lawn mower is a fixed compound noun used widely in home improvement, landscaping, and gardening discourse, with regional variations in naming (e.g., lawn mower vs. grass cutter) and evolving technology (self-propelled, robotic models).
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Lawn Mower" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Lawn Mower" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Lawn Mower" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Lawn Mower"
-wer sounds
-our sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
Say /lɔn ˈmoʊər/ in US English (US: lɔːn ˈməʊə). Stress the second word: MOH-er. The first word rhymes with “dawn” or “lawn”; the second syllable features a strong /oʊ/ followed by a light /ər/ in rhotic accents. Practice by saying “lawn” clearly, then attach the second syllable with a crisp /oʊ/ vowel and a gentle rhotic ending. Audio references: try standard dictionaries or Pronounce for listening models.
Common errors: (1) Slurring the boundary between words, (2) mispronouncing /ɔː/ vs /oʊ/ in related dialects, (3) dropping the /r/ in non-rhotic accents. Correction: clearly produce the vowel in lawn as /ɔː/ (UK) or /ɔ/ (US) and articulate the second word with a strong /oʊ/ followed by a visible /ɚ/ or /ər/ depending on the accent; avoid reducing the second syllable too much. Practice with slow drills focusing on the boundary and vowel accuracy.
In US English, lawn = /lɔn/ with rhotic /ɚ/ in mower: /ˈmoʊɚ/—often /ˈmoʊɚ/ or /ˈmoʊə/. UK English uses /lɔːn/ and /ˈməʊə/ or /ˈmɔːə/ with non-rhotic trailing /ə/. Australian tends toward /lɔːn/ and /ˈməʊə/ with a clear bilabial start and relatively smooth vowel transitions. The primary differences lie in vowel quality and rhoticity; US tends to rhotic /r/ in the second syllable, UK and AU may reduce or vocalize the /r/ differently depending on speaker.
Two main challenges: a tense, two-word boundary that can blur in casual speech, and the diphthongs /ɔ/ or /ɔː/ transitioning to /oʊ/ or /əʊə/ in the second word. The contrast between the rounded back vowel in lawn and the high-fronted in mower makes rapid repetition tricky. Also, non-rhotic variants in some accents may reduce the /r/ ending, altering the perceived ending sound. Focus on clear vowel shaping and a firm boundary between words.
The phrase contains an initial open-back vowel in lawn that must precede a strong, rounded diphthong in mower. The challenge is maintaining distinct syllable clarity while keeping the flow for natural rhythm. In many dialects, the final /r/ can be subtle or dropped, affecting intelligibility; ensuring the /ə/ or /ər/ ending is heard is key for listener comprehension. Emphasize the contrast between the vowels of lawn and mower for optimal clarity.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Lawn Mower"!
No related words found
