Plowing vs. Ploughing — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 28, 2024
Plowing, the American spelling, and ploughing, the British variant, both describe the act of turning over soil in farming, differing only in regional spelling preferences.
Difference Between Plowing and Ploughing
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Plowing is the preferred spelling in American English, commonly used in the United States. Whereas, ploughing is favored in British English, often seen in the UK, Canada, and Australia. This distinction in spelling reflects the broader differences between American and British English, where words often have varying endings but the same meanings.
Plowing typically involves the use of a plow, a farming tool that cuts into and turns over the earth to prepare for sowing seeds. On the other hand, ploughing refers to the same process, just under a different spelling. The tool used in this process, accordingly, is often referred to as a plough in regions where British English is used.
The term "plowing" can also metaphorically mean to proceed with something laboriously. Whereas "ploughing" carries the same metaphorical uses in British English, showing how the core meaning does not change with the spelling.
In terms of usage, "plowing" appears more frequently in American publications and farming manuals. On the other hand, "ploughing" is more commonly found in texts from British publishers and documents related to agriculture in British-influenced regions.
Both "plowing" and "ploughing" are used in educational materials and dictionaries, reflecting their respective regions' norms. However, ploughing appears in British educational contexts, reinforcing the spelling norms of that region.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Spelling Region
American English
British English
Example Countries
United States
UK, Canada, Australia
Tool
Plow
Plough
Metaphorical Use
Yes, e.g., "plowing ahead"
Yes, e.g., "ploughing on"
Usage Context
American publications
British publications
Compare with Definitions
Plowing
Turning over the earth in fields to prepare for the planting of crops.
The farmer spent the morning plowing the field for the upcoming planting season.
Ploughing
To advance with difficulty.
They kept ploughing on despite the numerous challenges they faced.
Plowing
Moving in a fast and unrelenting manner.
She kept plowing through her workload, determined to finish by the end of the day.
Ploughing
Proceeding with something with great effort.
She was ploughing through her revision notes for the upcoming exams.
Plowing
To proceed laboriously with something.
He was plowing through the dense legal texts for his research.
Ploughing
Investing or putting continuous effort into something.
They are ploughing back profits into new business ventures.
Plowing
To clear a path through snow or debris.
After the heavy snowfall, the city workers were plowing the streets all night.
Ploughing
The act of turning over soil in farming to prepare for sowing.
He was ploughing the field under the warm spring sun.
Plowing
To invest heavily in an effort or resource.
The company is plowing millions into research and development.
Ploughing
Making one's way through something tough or resistant.
He's been ploughing through the crowd to get to the front.
Plowing
A farm implement consisting of a strong blade at the end of a beam, usually hitched to a draft team or motor vehicle and used for breaking up soil and cutting furrows in preparation for sowing.
Ploughing
A farm implement consisting of a strong blade at the end of a beam, usually hitched to a draft team or motor vehicle and used for breaking up soil and cutting furrows in preparation for sowing.
Plowing
An implement or machine designed to move earth, snow, or other material by means of a strong blade.
Ploughing
An implement or machine designed to move earth, snow, or other material by means of a strong blade.
Plowing
Plow See Big Dipper.
Ploughing
Plow See Big Dipper.
Plowing
To break and turn over (earth) with a plow.
Ploughing
To break and turn over (earth) with a plow.
Plowing
To form (a furrow, for example) with a plow.
Ploughing
To form (a furrow, for example) with a plow.
Plowing
To form furrows in with a plow
Plow a field.
Ploughing
To form furrows in with a plow
Plow a field.
Plowing
To form wrinkles or creases in
His forehead was plowed with lines of stress.
Ploughing
To form wrinkles or creases in
His forehead was plowed with lines of stress.
Plowing
To move or clear (snow, for example) by means of a plow.
Ploughing
To move or clear (snow, for example) by means of a plow.
Plowing
To clear (an area) of snow or other material by means of a plow.
Ploughing
To clear (an area) of snow or other material by means of a plow.
Plowing
To make or form with driving force
I plowed my way through the crowd.
Ploughing
To make or form with driving force
I plowed my way through the crowd.
Plowing
To progress through (water)
Plow the high seas.
Ploughing
To progress through (water)
Plow the high seas.
Plowing
Vulgar Slang To have intercourse with (another). Used of a man.
Ploughing
Vulgar Slang To have intercourse with (another). Used of a man.
Plowing
To break and turn up earth with a plow.
Ploughing
To break and turn up earth with a plow.
Plowing
To move or clear material such as snow with a plow.
Ploughing
To move or clear material such as snow with a plow.
Plowing
To admit of plowing
Rocky earth plows poorly.
Ploughing
To admit of plowing
Rocky earth plows poorly.
Plowing
To move or progress with driving force
The ball carrier plowed through the defensive line.
Ploughing
To move or progress with driving force
The ball carrier plowed through the defensive line.
Plowing
To proceed laboriously; plod
Plowed through the backlog of work.
Ploughing
To proceed laboriously; plod
Plowed through the backlog of work.
Plowing
(snowboarding): riding with neither foot leading, with the stick perpendicular to the fall line; not goofy nor regular.
Ploughing
Present participle of plough
Plowing
Ploughing
Ploughing
(agriculture) The breaking of the ground into furrows (with a plough) for planting.
Plowing
Alternative form of ploughing
Ploughing
Tilling the land with a plow;
He hired someone to do the plowing for him
Plowing
Tilling the land with a plow;
He hired someone to do the plowing for him
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between plowing and ploughing?
The main difference is the regional spelling; "plowing" is used in American English and "ploughing" in British English.
Do plowing and ploughing have the same metaphorical meanings?
Yes, both can be used metaphorically to describe making progress laboriously or forcefully.
Can plowing and ploughing be used interchangeably?
Yes, they can be used interchangeably, depending on the regional audience or context.
Is there a difference in the tools referred to as a plow and a plough?
No, both terms refer to the same farming tool, just spelled differently based on American and British English conventions.
How should I use plowing or ploughing in a sentence to refer to hard work metaphorically?
Example: "She kept plowing through her workload to meet the deadline."
Which term should I use if I am writing for an international audience?
It depends on the preferred English variety of the audience; however, using the specific term familiar to the audience's English variant is advisable.
Do dictionaries list both spellings of plowing and ploughing?
Yes, dictionaries typically list both spellings and indicate the regional usage of each.
Can software tools automatically correct the spelling of plowing/ploughing based on the user's location?
Yes, many word processing and text editing software can adjust the spelling based on the language settings of the user.
Is plowing or ploughing more common globally?
"Ploughing" might be slightly more common globally due to the prevalence of British English in many parts of the world outside the USA.
Are there any contexts where one spelling is preferred over the other?
Yes, in academic or professional publications, the regional spelling that aligns with the publication's language norms is preferred.
Are there any other words that follow a similar pattern to plowing and ploughing in English?
Yes, words like "color" (US) and "colour" (UK), "honor" (US) and "honour" (UK) follow similar patterns.
How can I remember which spelling to use?
Remember that "plowing" has an 'ow' as in 'cow', typical of American simplifications, while "ploughing" retains the traditional British 'ough' spelling.
Is the pronunciation of plowing and ploughing different?
No, both terms are pronounced the same way despite their different spellings.
What is the historical origin of the different spellings?
The different spellings arise from the orthographic differences that developed between American and British English over time.
Is there an etymological difference that leads to these spelling variations?
The variations mainly stem from early 19th-century American efforts to simplify spellings compared to their British counterparts.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Anger vs. Angriness
Next Comparison
Nebula vs. GalaxyAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
