Winnow — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈwi-(ˌ)nō/ win·now

Meaning & Definition of Winnow

Winnow (verb)

  1. to remove (something, such as chaff) by a current of air
  2. to get rid of (something undesirable or unwanted), remove —often used with out
  3. separate, sift

Winnow (noun)

  1. a device for winnowing
  2. the action of winnowing
  3. a motion resembling that of winnowing

Winnow (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to remove less desirable choices from a group or list

    "They winnowed the pool of applicants down to a few of the strongest candidates."

    "I tried to winnow out the options that weren't a good value for the price."

    similar: cull, discard, jettison, throw away, throw out, decline, refuse, reject, turn down, disapprove, negative, repudiate, spurn, abbreviate, abridge, clip, crop, curtail, cut, cut back, cut down, dock, nick, pare, prune, retrench, shorten, slash, trim, truncate, whittle (down), abate, decrease, de-escalate, dent, deplete, downscale, downsize, drop, dwindle, ease, knock down, lessen, lower, reduce, compress, condense, constrict, contract, deflate, shrink, minimize, moderate, modify, modulate, qualify, bolt, screen, sieve, sift, clarify, clear, distill, fine, filter, garble, purify, process, rectify, refine
    opposite: cherry-pick, choose, cull, elect, handpick, name, opt (for), pick, prefer, select, single (out), tag, take, preselect, appoint, designate, fix, mark, nominate, set, tab, tap, accept, adopt, embrace, espouse, settle (on or upon), blow up, dilate, distend, inflate, swell, elongate, extend, lengthen, prolong, protract, add (to), complement, supplement, enhance, heighten, intensify, redouble, aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, enlarge, escalate, expand, increase, raise

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Winnow

The most common words with a similar meaning to Winnow:

cull, discard, jettison, throw away, throw out, decline, refuse, reject, turn down, disapprove, negative, repudiate, spurn, abbreviate, abridge, clip, crop, curtail, cut, cut back, cut down, dock, nick, pare, prune, retrench, shorten, slash, trim, truncate, whittle (down), abate, decrease, de-escalate, dent, deplete, downscale, downsize, drop, dwindle

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Winnow

Words with the opposite meaning of Winnow:

cherry-pick, choose, cull, elect, handpick, name, opt (for), pick, prefer, select, single (out), tag, take, preselect, appoint, designate, fix, mark, nominate, set, tab, tap, accept, adopt, embrace, espouse, settle (on or upon), blow up, dilate, distend

Word Forms of Winnow

Inflections: winnowed, winnowing, winnows

Derived words: winnower (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Winnow

Middle English winewen, from Old English windwian to fan, winnow; akin to Old High German wintōn to fan, Latin vannus winnowing fan, ventus wind wind:1

First known use: before 12th centuryt

Frequently Asked Questions about Winnow

What does "Winnow" mean?

"Winnow" means to remove (something, such as chaff) by a current of air. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to remove (something, such as chaff) by a current of air.

What is another word for "Winnow"?

Other words for "Winnow" include cull, discard, jettison, throw away, throw out, decline, refuse and reject. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Winnow" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Winnow"?

There are 70 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Winnow". Common alternatives include cull, discard, jettison, throw away, throw out, decline, refuse, reject, turn down and disapprove.

What is the opposite of "Winnow"?

Antonyms of "Winnow" include cherry-pick, choose, cull, elect, handpick, name, opt (for) and pick.

How do you use "Winnow" in a sentence?

Examples of "Winnow" in a sentence: "They winnowed the pool of applicants down to a few of the strongest candidates."; "I tried to winnow out the options that weren't a good value for the price.".

Is "Winnow" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Winnow" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Winnow"?

"Winnow" is pronounced /ˈwi-(ˌ)nō/ and divided into syllables as win·now.

What is the origin of the word "Winnow"?

"Winnow" comes from Middle English winewen, from Old English windwian to fan, winnow; akin to Old High German wintōn to fan, Latin vannus winnowing fan, ventus wind wind:1. First known use: before 12th centuryt.