farmer

farmer

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Pronunciation

The IPA phonetic spelling for "farmer" is /ˈfɑːrmər/.

Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:

• far-: /fɑːr/

• /f/: voiceless labiodental fricative

• /ɑː/: open back unrounded vowel (long 'a' sound)

• /r/: alveolar approximant (rhotic 'r' sound)

• -mer: /mər/

• /m/: bilabial nasal

• /ər/: r-colored schwa (a vocalic 'r' sound)

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Word Form Variations

• Singular Noun: farmer

• Plural Noun: farmers

• Possessive Singular Noun: farmer's

• Possessive Plural Noun: farmers'

(Note: "Farmer" does not typically function as a verb, adjective, or adverb in standard English.)

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

• Definition 1: A person who operates and manages a farm, especially one engaged in raising crops or livestock for commercial purposes.

• Synonyms: agriculturist, grower, rancher, cultivator, husbandman (archaic)

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; one might consider professions unrelated to agriculture, e.g., urbanite, city dweller)

• Definition 2: (Figurative) An individual who diligently cultivates or nurtures something, often in a systematic or dedicated manner.

• Synonyms: developer, breeder, cultivator (in a broader sense), keeper

• Antonyms: destroyer, neglecter

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Examples of Use

Books:

• "George Orwell's Animal Farm is a satirical allegory where a group of oppressed farm animals overthrow their human farmer, Mr. Jones, and establish their own society." (Orwell, G. Animal Farm)

• "In The Grapes of Wrath, the Joad family, dispossessed Oklahoma farmers, embark on a arduous journey to California in search of work and a new life." (Steinbeck, J. The Grapes of Wrath)

Newspapers:

• "Local farmers are expressing concerns about the rising cost of fertilizer, which could impact crop yields this season." (The Daily Nation, 2025)

• "A small-scale farmer in rural Iowa diversified his crops, leading to a significant increase in his annual income." (The Wall Street Journal, 2025)

Online Publications:

• "The debate around sustainable agriculture often focuses on the practices adopted by organic farmers and their impact on the environment." (EcoWatch.com, 2025)

• "Technological advancements are revolutionizing the way modern farmers monitor their fields and manage irrigation systems." (Wired.com, 2025)

Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Television (Documentary): "A recent documentary on Netflix, 'Our Planet: Food,' highlighted the efforts of indigenous farmers in preserving biodiversity in their traditional farming methods." (Netflix)

• Film: "The movie 'Interstellar' features a future Earth ravaged by blight, where the protagonist, Cooper, is a former pilot turned farmer struggling to grow corn." (Interstellar)

• Video Game: "In the popular video game Stardew Valley, players assume the role of a city-dweller who inherits a dilapidated farm and becomes a farmer, cultivating crops, raising livestock, and interacting with the local community." (Stardew Valley)

• Podcast: "The 'No-Till Farmer Podcast' regularly features interviews with experienced farmers sharing their insights and challenges in regenerative agriculture." (No-Till Farmer Podcast)

General Public Discourse:

• "My grandfather was a farmer his whole life; he always said there's nothing more honest than working the land." (Casual conversation)

• "The government needs to do more to support small farmers and ensure food security for everyone." (Public speech/Protest)

• "I heard that the local market will have fresh produce directly from the farmers this weekend." (Community announcement)

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10 Famous Quotes Using Farmer

1. "The farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn't still be a farmer." (Will Rogers)

2. "No one can be a farmer who is not by nature an optimist." (Dorothy Canfield Fisher)

3. "The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways." (John F. Kennedy)

4. "A good farmer is a man of culture." (Edward Steichen)

5. "I would rather be a farmer than a king." (Author unknown, attributed to various historical figures)

6. "The first farmer was the first man, and all historic nobility rests on possession and use of land." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

7. "Don't wait for a farmer to make a road; build it yourself." (African Proverb)

8. "To be a farmer is to be an eternal optimist, to believe in the promise of the seed and the miracle of growth." (Author unknown)

9. "You want to know what it’s like to be a farmer? It’s like living life on a treadmill, but the speed keeps changing without warning." (Joel Salatin)

10. "The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings." (Masanobu Fukuoka)

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Etymology

The word "farmer" has a fascinating history, and its original meaning was quite different from what we understand today!

Think of the word "farm" first. Originally, a "farm" (from the Old French "ferme") didn't refer to a piece of land where crops grow. Instead, it meant a fixed payment or rent. This could be a fixed sum of money paid for a lease of land, or even a fixed amount paid to collect taxes or other duties.

So, the first known use of the word "farmer" (dating back to the Middle English period, around the early 1300s) referred to a person who collected these fixed payments or rents. Imagine someone who had the right to collect taxes from people in a certain area, and in return, they paid a fixed amount to the king or a lord. That person would have been called a "farmer." They were essentially a "lease-holder" or "collector of revenue."

It wasn't until much later, around the late 1500s, that the word "farmer" started to take on its modern meaning: a person who actually works the land, growing crops or raising animals. This new meaning slowly replaced older words for people who cultivated land, like "churl" and "husbandman."

So, in a nutshell:

• Original Meaning (early 1300s): A person who collected fixed payments, like rent or taxes.

• Later Meaning (late 1500s): A person who cultivates land and raises livestock.

It's a great example of how language can evolve and how words can shift their meaning over time!

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Farmer

1. Farmer's market: A market where local farmers sell their produce directly to consumers.

2. Farmer's tan: A tan line characterized by deeply tanned arms and neck, with a lighter torso, due to outdoor work in the sun.

3. Farmer's almanac: A publication containing weather forecasts, planting charts, and astronomical data for farmers.

4. Farmer's daughter: (Often in older jokes or stereotypical contexts) A naive or simple young woman from a rural background.

5. A hard-working farmer: Emphasizing diligence and effort in agricultural work.

6. As strong as an ox (or a farmer): Indicating great physical strength, often associated with agricultural labor.

7. Sow like a farmer: To plant or distribute something generously or widely.

8. The wisdom of the farmer: Referring to practical, often weather-related or agricultural, knowledge gained through experience.

9. Every man a farmer: An ideal suggesting self-sufficiency and connection to the land.

10. To farm for compliments: (Lesser-known, metaphorical) To subtly or indirectly seek praise or approval, much like a farmer cultivates a crop.

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of farmer from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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