How Do You Spell WINNOW?

Pronunciation: [wˈɪnə͡ʊ] (IPA)

The word "winnow" is spelled with two W's, one I, two N's, and one O. Its phonetic transcription in IPA is /ˈwɪnoʊ/. The first syllable is pronounced with a voiceless labiovelar approximant, which sounds like a "w" sound without vibration of the vocal cords. The second syllable has a long I sound, followed by a voiced alveolar nasal. The final syllable is pronounced with a long O sound, followed by a voiceless glottal fricative. This word means to separate grain from chaff by means of a current of air.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Plural
Conjugate verb
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WINNOW Meaning and Definition

  1. Winnow is a verb that refers to the act of separating or sorting out desirable or valuable elements from unwanted or less valuable ones. It can also mean to eliminate or get rid of unwanted or undesirable elements from a group or collection. Winnowing is a process commonly used in agriculture to separate grains from chaff or husks. This involves tossing the mixture into the air so that the lighter chaff blows away while the heavier grains fall back to the ground.

    Metaphorically, winnowing can be applied to different contexts. In a figurative sense, it can describe the act of sorting through a large amount of information, choices, or options to identify the most important or useful ones. This can be seen in decision-making processes, where individuals evaluate and discern the best course of action by eliminating less valuable alternatives.

    Winnowing can also be used to describe the process of refining or purifying something. For instance, in literature, winnowing refers to the careful selection of ideas, themes, or details in order to create a more concise and coherent narrative. Similarly, in economics, it can describe the process of eliminating excessive or non-essential elements to improve efficiency or productivity.

    Overall, winnowing involves the act of sifting through a collection or mixture to separate the desirable from the undesirable. It encompasses the extraction of valuable elements, the elimination of unwanted components, and the refinement of a group or collection to enhance its quality or effectiveness.

  2. To separate the chaff from the grain by means of the wind or by a current of air; to separate by fanning; to sift.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for WINNOW

Etymology of WINNOW

The word "winnow" has its roots in Old English and comes from the Proto-Germanic word "winthwjanan", which means "to fan". This term was derived from the Proto-Indo-European root word "weyə-" or "weh₁-", which means "blow" or "weave".

In Old English, the verb "winnow" was used specifically in the agricultural context, referring to the process of separating grain from chaff by tossing it in the air and allowing the wind to blow away the lighter chaff while the heavier grain fell back to the ground. Over time, the term "winnow" has also gained metaphorical usage, meaning to separate, select, or sift through in general, unrelated to farming.

Idioms with the word WINNOW

  • winnow away The idiom "winnow away" typically refers to a gradual reduction or elimination of something or someone. It means to remove or separate the unnecessary or less desirable elements, leaving behind only what is valuable or essential.

Similar spelling words for WINNOW

Plural form of WINNOW is WINNOWS

Conjugate verb Winnow

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have winnowed
you would have winnowed
he/she/it would have winnowed
we would have winnowed
they would have winnowed
I would have winnow
you would have winnow
he/she/it would have winnow
we would have winnow
they would have winnow

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been winnowing
you would have been winnowing
he/she/it would have been winnowing
we would have been winnowing
they would have been winnowing

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would winnow
you would winnow
he/she/it would winnow
we would winnow
they would winnow

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be winnowing
you would be winnowing
he/she/it would be winnowing
we would be winnowing
they would be winnowing

FUTURE

I will winnow
you will winnow
he/she/it will winnow
we will winnow
they will winnow

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be winnowing
you will be winnowing
he/she/it will be winnowing
we will be winnowing
they will be winnowing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have winnowed
you will have winnowed
he/she/it will have winnowed
we will have winnowed
they will have winnowed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been winnowing
you will have been winnowing
he/she/it will have been winnowing
we will have been winnowing
they will have been winnowing

IMPERATIVE

you winnow
we let´s winnow

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to winnow

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was winnowing
you were winnowing
he/she/it was winnowing
we were winnowing
they were winnowing

PAST PARTICIPLE

winnowed

PAST PERFECT

I had winnowed
you had winnowed
he/she/it had winnowed
we had winnowed
they had winnowed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been winnowing
you had been winnowing
he/she/it had been winnowing
we had been winnowing
they had been winnowing

PRESENT

I winnow
you winnow
he/she/it winnows
we winnow
they winnow

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am winnowing
you are winnowing
he/she/it is winnowing
we are winnowing
they are winnowing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

winnowing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have winnowed
you have winnowed
he/she/it has winnowed
we have winnowed
they have winnowed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been winnowing
you have been winnowing
he/she/it has been winnowing
we have been winnowing
they have been winnowing

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it winnow

SIMPLE PAST

I winnowed
you winnowed
he/she/it winnowed
we winnowed
they winnowed

Infographic

Correct spelling for winnow
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