row
row Lexical Profile
row Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A number of people or things arranged in a neat, more or less straight line, especially side by side.
"The students sat in the front row of the auditorium to get a clear view of the stage."
A horizontal line of entries in a table, spreadsheet, or mathematical matrix.
"Please highlight the third row of the spreadsheet to review the quarterly totals."
British A noisy acrimonious quarrel, heated dispute, or public controversy.
"A fierce political row erupted over the proposed cuts to public transit funding."
An act or period of propelling a boat across water using oars, or an exercise simulating this motion.
"They enjoyed a peaceful morning row across the calm lake before breakfast."
• verb
To propel a boat through water using oars.
"She learned how to row a wooden skiff across the harbor during summer camp."
To convey or transport passengers or cargo in a boat propelled by oars.
"The ferryman offered to row the travelers across the river before nightfall."
British To engage in a noisy, heated argument or quarrel.
"The neighbors used to row constantly over where to park their cars on the narrow street."
Word Nuance & Usage
"Row" is a heteronym with two distinct pronunciations: it rhymes with "go" (/roʊ/) when referring to a horizontal line or propelling a boat with oars, and it rhymes with "cow" (/raʊ/) when referring to a noisy quarrel or commotion.
• Rhymes for row
Word Origin & Etymology
The sense meaning a line comes from Old English rāw, of Germanic origin. The verb meaning to propel a boat with oars comes from Old English rōwan, related to Dutch roeien and German Ruder (oar), while the sense meaning a noisy quarrel arose in 18th-century British slang of uncertain origin.