What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fallow
Example
The farmer decided to let his field lie fallow for a year to restore its nutrients. [fallow: adjective]
Example
After several years of planting crops, the land needed to be fallowed to recover its fertility. [fallowed: verb]
barren
Example
The desert was barren, with no signs of vegetation or wildlife. [barren: adjective]
Example
The couple was heartbroken to learn that they were unable to have children due to infertility. [barren: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Barren is more commonly used than fallow in everyday language. Barren is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fallow is less common and primarily used in the context of agriculture.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fallow and barren?
Both fallow and barren are relatively formal words, but barren may be slightly more formal due to its wider range of usage and negative connotation.
