Low vs. Sow — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 6, 2024
Low refers to something close to the ground or having a small vertical extent, while sow means to plant seeds by scattering or to introduce something for consideration.
Difference Between Low and Sow
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Low" generally pertains to a position or level that is close to the ground or lower than usual, highlighting its spatial context in terms of height or position. In contrast, "sow" is primarily used to describe the act of planting seeds by scattering them over soil, emphasizing an action in agriculture.
Low can also describe something of less than average intensity, such as a low sound or a low amount of energy, often indicating a subdued state or lesser degree. Whereas, sow can refer to spreading ideas or elements within society, implying the initiation or introduction of new thoughts or materials.
In another sense, low is used to indicate poor or reduced quality, such as low grades or low performance, often reflecting a negative evaluation. On the other hand, sow is used metaphorically to mean instigating or promoting something, like sowing discord, which means to create conflict or disagreement.
Low is additionally employed in weather contexts to denote low atmospheric pressure, which is associated with cloudy and rainy conditions. In contrast, sow does not have a direct connection to weather but is metaphorically extended to mean proliferating certain conditions or situations, like sowing confusion.
While low has various applications in physical, emotional, and qualitative states, showing versatility in usage, sow remains focused on the concept of dispersion, whether literally in farming or figuratively in social interactions.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Close to the ground or of little height
Plant seeds by scattering or introduce for consideration
Usage Context
Spatial position, intensity, quality
Agriculture, metaphorical spreading
Emotional Connotation
Often negative (low spirits)
Neutral or negative (sowing discord)
Physical Relevance
Used in describing height or depth
Used in describing actions of planting
Metaphorical Use
Low point, low blow
Sow seeds of doubt, sow discord
Compare with Definitions
Low
Close to the ground or floor.
The shelf is too low for the tall vase.
Sow
Plant (seed) by scattering it on or in the earth.
In the spring, we sow corn in the back field.
Low
Of less than average quality or scale.
The team's performance this season was disappointingly low.
Sow
To cause to appear or proliferate.
The rumor mill sowed confusion among employees.
Low
Referring to minimal amount or degree.
The tank is running low on gas.
Sow
Introduce or initiate (an idea or situation).
The new manager sowed innovative ideas into the team.
Low
Not loud or intense; subdued.
She spoke in a low whisper during the movie.
Sow
Spread or scatter (something) over an area.
He sowed the lawn with grass seed.
Low
Used in meteorology, meaning having lower atmospheric pressure.
The weather forecast predicts a low moving in tomorrow.
Sow
Engage in planting or introducing something.
She plans to sow several new flower beds.
Low
Having little relative height; not high or tall
A low wall.
Sow
To scatter (seed) over the ground for growing.
Low
Rising only slightly above surrounding surfaces
A low hill.
Sow
To scatter seed over (land, for example).
Low
Near to the ground or the horizon
The low clouds threaten rain. The sun is low.
Sow
To strew something around or over (an area); distribute something over
"The yard was sown with cement sculpture" (Ashley Warlick).
Low
Situated or placed below normal height
A low lighting fixture.
Sow
To propagate; disseminate
Sow rumors.
Low
Situated below the surrounding surfaces
Water standing in low spots.
Sow
To scatter seed for growing.
Low
Of less than usual or average depth; shallow
The river is low.
Sow
An adult female pig, especially one that has had at least one litter.
Low
Cut to show the wearer's neck and chest; décolleté
A low neckline.
Sow
The adult female of several other animals, such as the bear.
Low
Close or closer to a reference point
Was low in the offensive zone, near the goal.
Sow
A channel that conducts molten iron to the molds in a pig bed.
Low
(Linguistics) Produced with part or all of the tongue depressed, as a, pronounced (ä), in father. Used of vowels.
Sow
The mass of metal solidified in such a channel or mold.
Low
Below average in degree, intensity, or amount
A low temperature.
Sow
A female pig.
Low
Below an average or a standard
Low wages.
A low level of communication.
Sow
A female bear, she-bear.
Low
Ranked near the beginning of an ascending series or scale
A low number.
A low grade of oil.
Sow
A female guinea pig.
Low
Relating to or being latitudes nearest to the equator.
Sow
A channel that conducts molten metal to molds.
Low
Relatively small. Used of a cost, price, or other value
A low fee.
A low income.
Sow
A mass of metal solidified in a mold.
Low
Not loud; soft
A low murmur.
Sow
A contemptible, often fat woman.
Low
Having a pitch corresponding to a relatively small number of sound-wave cycles per second.
Sow
A sowbug.
Low
Below others in status or rank; lowly
Of low birth.
Sow
(military) A kind of covered shed, formerly used by besiegers in filling up and passing the ditch of a besieged place, sapping and mining the wall, etc.
Low
Violating standards of morality or decency; base
A low stunt to pull. ].
Sow
(ambitransitive) To scatter, disperse, or plant (seeds).
When I had sown the field, the day's work was over.
As you sow, so shall you reap.
Low
The characteristic sound uttered by cattle; a moo.
Sow
(figurative) To spread abroad; to propagate.
Low
To utter the sound made by cattle; moo.
Sow
(figurative) To scatter over; to besprinkle.
Low
Situated close to, or even below, the ground or another normal reference plane; not high or lofty.
Sow
Obsolete spelling of sew
Low
Pertaining to (or, especially of a language: spoken in) in an area which is at a lesser elevation, closer to sea level (especially near the sea), than other regions.
The low countries
Low German
Sow
To sew. See Sew.
Low
Below the batter's knees.
The pitch (or: the ball) was low
Sow
To scatter, as seed, upon the earth; to plant by strewing; as, to sow wheat. Also used figuratively: To spread abroad; to propagate.
A sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside.
And sow dissension in the hearts of brothers.
Low
Of less than normal height or upward extent or growth, or of greater than normal depth or recession; below the average or normal level from which elevation is measured.
Sow
To scatter seed upon, in, or over; to supply or stock, as land, with seeds. Also used figuratively: To scatter over; to besprinkle.
The intellectual faculty is a goodly field, . . . and it is the worst husbandry in the world to sow it with trifles.
[He] sowed with stars the heaven.
Now morn . . . sowed the earth with orient pearl.
Low
Low-cut.
Sow
To scatter seed for growth and the production of a crop; - literally or figuratively.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joi.
Low
Not high in status, esteem, or rank, dignity, or quality. vulgar.}}
Now that was low even for you!
Sow
The female of swine, or of the hog kind.
Low
Humble, meek, not haughty.
Sow
A sow bug.
Low
Disparaging; assigning little value or excellence.
She had a low opinion of cats. He took a low view of dogs.
Sow
A channel or runner which receives the rows of molds in the pig bed.
Low
Being a nadir, a bottom.
The low point in her career
Sow
A kind of covered shed, formerly used by besiegers in filling up and passing the ditch of a besieged place, sapping and mining the wall, or the like.
Low
Depressed in mood, dejected, sad.
Low spirits
Sow
An adult female hog
Low
Lacking health or vitality, strength or vivacity; feeble; weak.
A low pulse
Made (or: laid) low by sickness
Sow
Place (seeds) in or on the ground for future growth;
She sowed sunflower seeds
Low
Dead. lay low.}}
Sow
Introduce into an environment;
Sow suspicion or beliefs
Low
Small, not high (in amount or quantity, value, force, energy, etc).
My credit union charges a low interest rate.
Jogging during a whiteout, with such low temperatures and low visibility, is dangerous.
The store sold bread at low prices, and milk at even lower prices.
The contractors gave a low estimate of the costs.
Low cholesterol
A low voltage wire
A low number
Sow
Place seeds in or on (the ground);
Sow the ground with sunflower seeds
Low
Having a small or comparatively smaller concentration of (a substance, which is often but not always linked by "in" when predicative).
Diets low in vitamin A
Made from low-carbon steel
Low
Depleted, or nearing deletion; lacking in supply.
Running low on cash
Low
Simple in complexity or development.
Low protozoan animals, low cryptogamic plants, and other low organisms
Low
Favoring simplicity (see e.g. low church, Low Tory).
Low
(in several set phrases) Being near the equator.
The low northern latitudes
Low
(acoustics) Grave in pitch, due to being produced by relatively slow vibrations (wave oscillations); flat.
The note was too low for her to sing.
Generally, European men have lower voices than their Indian counterparts.
Low
Quiet; soft; not loud.
They spoke in low voices so I would not hear what they were saying.
Why would you want to play heavy metal at such a low volume?
Low
(phonetics) Made with a relatively large opening between the tongue and the palate; made with (part of) the tongue positioned low in the mouth, relative to the palate.
Low
(card games) Lesser in value than other cards, denominations, suits, etc.
A low card
Low
Not rich or seasoned; offering the minimum of nutritional requirements; plain, simple.
Low
Designed for a slow (or the slowest) speed.
Low gear
Low
A low point or position, literally (as, a depth) or or figuratively (as, a nadir, a time when things are at their worst, least, minimum, etc).
You have achieved a new low in behavior, Frank.
Economic growth has hit a new low.
Unemployment has reached a ten-year low.
Low
The minimum atmospheric temperature recorded at a particular location, especially during one 24-hour period.
Today's low was 32 °F.
Low
A period of depression; a depressed mood or situation.
He is in a low right now.
The highs and lows of bipolar disorder
Low
An area of low pressure; a depression.
A deep low is centred over the British Isles.
Low
The lowest-speed gearing of a power-transmission system, especially of an automotive vehicle.
Shift out of low before the car gets to eight miles per hour.
Low
(card games) The lowest trump, usually the deuce; the lowest trump dealt or drawn.
Low
A cheap, cost-efficient, or advantageous price.
He got the brand new Yankees jersey for the low.
Low
A flame; fire; blaze.
Low
Barrow, mound, tumulus.
Low
A hill.
Low
Close to the ground.
Low
Of a pitch, at a lower frequency.
Low
With a low voice or sound; not loudly; gently.
To speak low
Low
Under the usual price; at a moderate price; cheaply.
He sold his wheat low.
Low
In a low mean condition; humbly; meanly.
Low
In a time approaching our own.
Low
(astronomy) In a path near the equator, so that the declination is small, or near the horizon, so that the altitude is small; said of the heavenly bodies with reference to the diurnal revolution.
The moon runs low, i.e. comparatively near the horizon when on or near the meridian.
Low
To lower; to make low.
Low
Inflection of laugh.
Low
(intransitive) To moo.
The cattle were lowing.
Low
To burn; to blaze.
Low
To make the calling sound of cows and other bovine animals; to moo.
The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea.
Low
To burn; to blaze.
Low
To depress; to lower.
Low
The calling sound ordinarily made by cows and other bovine animals.
Talking voices and the law of herds.
Low
A hill; a mound; a grave.
Low
Fire; a flame; a light.
Low
The lowest trump, usually the deuce; the lowest trump dealt or drawn.
Low
Occupying an inferior position or place; not high or elevated; depressed in comparison with something else; as, low ground; a low flight.
Low
Not rising to the usual height; as, a man of low stature; a low fence.
Low
Near the horizon; as, the sun is low at four o'clock in winter, and six in summer.
Low
Sunk to the farthest ebb of the tide; as, low tide.
Low
Beneath the usual or remunerative rate or amount, or the ordinary value; moderate; cheap; as, the low price of corn; low wages.
Low
Not loud; as, a low voice; a low sound.
Low
Depressed in the scale of sounds; grave; as, a low pitch; a low note.
Low
Made, as a vowel, with a low position of part of the tongue in relation to the palate; as, ă (ăm), ạ (ạll). See Guide to Pronunciation, 5, 10, 11.
Low
Near, or not very distant from, the equator; as, in the low northern latitudes.
Low
Numerically small; as, a low number.
Low
Wanting strength or animation; depressed; dejected; as, low spirits; low in spirits.
Low
Depressed in condition; humble in rank; as, men of low condition; the lower classes.
Why but to keep ye low and ignorant ?
Low
Mean; vulgar; base; dishonorable; as, a person of low mind; a low trick or stratagem.
Low
Not elevated or sublime; not exalted in thought or diction; as, a low comparison.
In comparison of these divine writers, the noblest wits of the heathen world are low and dull.
Low
Submissive; humble.
Low
Deficient in vital energy; feeble; weak; as, a low pulse; made low by sickness.
Low
Moderate; not intense; not inflammatory; as, low heat; a low temperature; a low fever.
Low
Smaller than is reasonable or probable; as, a low estimate.
Low
Not rich, high seasoned, or nourishing; plain; simple; as, a low diet.
Low
In a low position or manner; not aloft; not on high; near the ground.
Low
Under the usual price; at a moderate price; cheaply; as, he sold his wheat low.
Low
In a low or mean condition; humbly; meanly.
Low
In time approaching our own.
In that part of the world which was first inhabited, even as low down as Abraham's time, they wandered with their flocks and herds.
Low
With a low voice or sound; not loudly; gently; as, to speak low.
The . . . odorous windBreathes low between the sunset and the moon.
Low
With a low musical pitch or tone.
Can sing both high and low.
Low
In subjection, poverty, or disgrace; as, to be brought low by oppression, by want, or by vice.
Low
In a path near the equator, so that the declination is small, or near the horizon, so that the altitude is small; - said of the heavenly bodies with reference to the diurnal revolution; as, the moon runs low, that is, is comparatively near the horizon when on or near the meridian.
Low
An air mass of lower pressure; often brings precipitation;
A low moved in over night bringing sleet and snow
Low
British political cartoonist (born in New Zealand) who created the character Colonel Blimp (1891-1963)
Low
A low level or position or degree;
The stock market fell to a new low
Low
The lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle; used to start a car moving
Low
Make a low noise, characteristic of bovines
Low
Less than normal in degree or intensity or amount;
Low prices
The reservoire is low
Low
Literal meanings; being at or having a relatively small elevation or upward extension;
Low ceilings
Low clouds
Low hills
The sun is low
Low furniture
A low bow
Low
Very low in volume;
A low murmur
The low-toned murmur of the surf
Low
Unrefined in character;
Low comedy
Low
Used of sounds and voices; low in pitch or frequency
Low
Of the most contemptible kind;
Abject cowardice
A low stunt to pull
A low-down sneak
His miserable treatment of his family
You miserable skunk!
A scummy rabble
A scurvy trick
Low
Low or inferior in station or quality;
A humble cottage
A lowly parish priest
A modest man of the people
Small beginnings
Low
No longer sufficient;
Supplies are low
Our funds are depleted
Low
Subdued or brought low in condition or status;
Brought low
A broken man
His broken spirit
Low
Low in spirits;
Lonely and blue in a strange city
Depressed by the loss of his job
A dispirited and resigned expression on her face
Downcast after his defeat
Feeling discouraged and downhearted
Low
Being the gear producing the lowest drive speed;
Use first gear on steep hills
Low
In a low position; near the ground;
The branches hung low
Common Curiosities
Can "low" have emotional connotations?
Yes, "low" can describe emotions, such as feeling low, which means feeling sad or depressed.
What does "low" typically refer to in physical contexts?
"Low" refers to something that is situated close to the ground or having little height.
How is "sow" used in agriculture?
In agriculture, "sow" means to plant seeds by scattering them into the soil.
What does it mean to "sow discord"?
To "sow discord" means to create conflict or disagreement among people.
Can "sow" be used beyond planting seeds?
Yes, "sow" can also be used figuratively to mean initiating ideas or conditions in a society.
How does "low" relate to quality?
"Low" can describe something of inferior quality or poor performance.
How does "sow" relate to spreading ideas?
"Sow" can imply introducing or spreading new ideas or practices within a group or society.
What are the common uses of "low" in everyday language?
"Low" is commonly used to refer to volume, energy levels, and physical heights.
What does "sow the wind, reap the whirlwind" mean?
This proverb means that actions can have consequences far greater than expected, originally related to the idea of sowing and growing crops.
What is a metaphorical use of "sow"?
Metaphorically, "sow" can be used to describe the start of something, such as sowing the seeds of doubt.
Is "low" used in meteorology?
Yes, in meteorology, "low" refers to a region of low atmospheric pressure, often associated with bad weather.
What does "low point" refer to?
"Low point" refers to the worst or least successful period in a process or situation.
Can "low" imply danger?
Yes, in some contexts, like "low bridge" or "low clearance," it can imply potential danger due to insufficient height.
What is "sowing seeds of doubt"?
It means to create uncertainty or skepticism through subtle suggestions or questions.
How is "low" used in technology?
In technology, "low" can refer to low battery, low signal, or low performance, indicating inadequacy or a need for attention.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
