row
row
Pronunciation
The word "row" is interesting because it has two common pronunciations and meanings, which affects its IPA spelling and word forms. I'll address both.
Pronunciation 1: /roʊ/ (as in "boat")
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /roʊ/
Syllable Breakdown:
/roʊ/ - This is a single syllable.
/r/ - voiced alveolar approximant
/oʊ/ - diphthong (as in "goat")
Pronunciation 2: /raʊ/ (as in "cow")
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /raʊ/
Syllable Breakdown:
/raʊ/ - This is a single syllable.
/r/ - voiced alveolar approximant
/aʊ/ - diphthong (as in "mouth")
Word Form Variations
Word Form Variations 1:
Noun:
Singular: row
Plural: rows
Verb:
Base form: row
Third-person singular present: rows
Present participle: rowing
Past tense: rowed
Past participle: rowed
Word Form Variations 2:
Noun:
Singular: row
Plural: rows
Verb:
Base form: row
Third-person singular present: rows
Present participle: rowing
Past tense: rowed
Past participle: rowed
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A linear arrangement of people or objects, typically side-by-side or one behind another.
Example: "The students sat in a neat row, ready for the presentation."
Synonyms: line, series, rank, file, column
Antonyms: disarray, jumble, heap
A journey or excursion made by rowing a boat.
Example: "We enjoyed a peaceful row across the lake at sunset."
Synonyms: paddle, boat trip, cruise (informal)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific meaning, as it describes an action)
Verb
To propel a boat using oars.
Example: "He learned to row a single scull when he was young."
Synonyms: paddle, scull, oar
Antonyms: drift, anchor
Noun
A noisy dispute or quarrel, often involving shouting or angry words.
Example: "There was a huge row between the neighbors about the loud music."
Synonyms: argument, dispute, squabble, spat, conflict, brawl (more intense)
Antonyms: agreement, harmony, peace, calm
A severe reprimand or scolding.
Example: "He got a serious row from his boss for being late."
Synonyms: dressing-down, lecture, tongue-lashing, telling-off (informal)
Antonyms: praise, commendation, compliment
Verb
To have a noisy argument or quarrel.
Example: "The children were always rowing over trivial things."
Synonyms: argue, quarrel, bicker, squabble, dispute
Antonyms: agree, concur, reconcile
Examples of Use
Pronunciation 1: /roʊ/ (as in "boat")
Books:
"The boat, a sleek single scull, seemed to glide effortlessly as he began to row, each stroke powerful and precise." (From The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown)
Newspapers:
"Spectators lined the banks of the River Thames to watch the annual Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race, cheering on the crews as they rowed with impressive synchronicity." (The Guardian)
Online Publications:
"To improve your technique when you row on a machine, focus on engaging your core and pushing off strongly with your legs." (Runner's World)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
In the video game Red Dead Redemption 2, players can engage in a mission where they must row a small boat across a lake to escape pursuers.
A character in the TV series Outlander might say, "We must row across the loch before the storm hits." (STARZ)
General Public Discourse:
"Let's get in a row boat and just enjoy the peace and quiet on the lake this afternoon." (Heard in conversation
"They arranged the chairs in a neat row for the outdoor concert." (Observed at a public event)
Pronunciation 2: /raʊ/ (as in "cow")
Books:
"A huge row erupted in the village over the proposed new housing development, with passionate arguments on both sides." (From The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling)
Newspapers:
"The political row over the budget deficit deepened yesterday, as opposition leaders accused the government of fiscal irresponsibility." (The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"A TikTok video showing a public row between two shoppers went viral, sparking debate about civility." (Insider)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
A storyline in the soap opera EastEnders might feature two characters having a furious row in the Queen Victoria pub. (BBC One, various episodes)
In a stand-up comedy routine, a comedian might quip, "My parents had a terrible row last night about who left the lights on." (Netflix special)
General Public Discourse:
"Did you hear about the big row in the office yesterday? Apparently, it was about who drank the last of the coffee." (Heard in conversation)
"The children were having a bit of a row over which movie to watch." (Heard in a household)
10 Quotes Using Row
"It's a very funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it." (W. Somerset Maugham in A Writer's Notebook, using "best row" metaphorically)
"There is no row of dominoes that need to fall for the world to end." (Greta Thunberg, No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference, 2019)
"I love a broad row of books. But I like some of the books to be books that I have not read yet." (Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969)
"We are all in the same boat, in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty." (G.K. Chesterton, although often misattributed, it captures the sentiment of "all in the same boat" or "all in the same row")
"A man has to learn to be a man, and that means he has to learn to row his own boat." (Attributed to James Bond in From Russia with Love by Ian Fleming, 1957)
"How many row boats does it take to cross the sea?" (A line from the folk song "500 Miles," popularized by Peter, Paul and Mary)
"Life is like a row boat, you can row forward, or you can row backward, but you can't stand still." (Unknown origin, commonly used motivational saying)
"They were a strange row of plants, and it was hard to tell which ones would thrive." (From The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, 1939)
"Don't row against the current unnecessarily." (A common adage, its origin is difficult to pinpoint but widely used)
"Every day you either get better or worse. You never stay the same. The only question is, are you going to get better?" (Often attributed to unknown sources, but embodies the "straight row" principle in self-improvement)
Etymology
The word "row" actually has two separate origins, which is why it has two very different meanings and pronunciations today!
"Row" as in a line or to propel a boat (/roʊ/):
This "row" comes from a very old Germanic word, rauwō, which meant a "line" or "rank." It's related to words in other old languages that also meant a line or series.
First Known Use & Meaning: We can trace this meaning back to Old English, where the word was rāw. It was used to describe something arranged in a line, like a "row of trees" or a "row of houses." The meaning of "to propel a boat with oars" also comes from a similar old Germanic root, rōwan, which literally meant "to move by oars." So, the action of moving in a line by using oars eventually became associated with the word. This sense of "rowing a boat" also appeared in Old English as rōwan.
"Row" as in a quarrel or loud argument (/raʊ/):
This "row" has a completely different and more recent origin. It's thought to be an imitative word, meaning it sounds like the noise it describes. Think of the loud "rrrr" sound of an argument.
First Known Use & Meaning: This meaning of "row" (a noisy quarrel) is much newer, appearing in the English language around the late 18th century. It likely developed from some sort of slang or dialect word, probably trying to capture the sound of a noisy disturbance or a loud argument. It was first used to describe a noisy commotion or a disturbance, and then evolved specifically to mean a noisy dispute or quarrel between people.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Row
In a row: One after another without interruption.
Example: She won three games in a row.
A hard row to hoe: A difficult task or situation to deal with.
Example: Finishing this project on time is proving to be a hard row to hoe.
To paddle one's own canoe / To row one's own boat: To be independent and self-reliant.
Example: After college, he decided it was time to paddle his own canoe.
To have a row with someone: To have an argument or quarrel with someone.
Example: They had a big row about money last night.
To row in with someone/something: To agree or align oneself with someone or something.
Example: The new policy has many people rowing in with the administration.
To row back (on something): To withdraw from or backtrack on a previous statement or position.
Example: The politician had to row back on their comments after public outcry.
To get your ducks in a row: To organize things well; to make sure everything is in order.
Example: Before starting the new business, you need to get your ducks in a row.
A front-row seat: A position offering the best view or direct involvement in an event.
Example: He had a front-row seat to history being made.
To row against the tide/current: To go against popular opinion or a prevailing trend.
Example: Trying to implement that change now would be like rowing against the tide.
To make a row: To create a loud noise or disturbance.
Example: The children made quite a row playing in the garden.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of row from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
