arable
AIR-uh-bul
/ˈærəbl/
Land suitable for growing crops.
Specifically refers to land that can be plowed and used for agriculture.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'arabilis', from 'arare' (to plow). It is related to the word 'ear' in the sense of 'to ear the land' (an archaic term for plowing).
Word relationships
- cultivable: Cultivable is more general; arable specifically implies suitability for plowing.
- barren: Land that is too poor to produce much or any vegetation.
Commonly confused with
- fertile: Fertile means rich in nutrients; arable means physically capable of being farmed.
Collocations
- arable land
- arable farming
- shortage of arable land
Example sentences
- "As the population grows, the demand for arable land increases, often leading to deforestation." Global economics
- "Only a small percentage of the Earth's land surface is truly arable." Geography textbook
Memory hook
Arable land is 'able' to be farmed by 'ar-ists' (farmers). Arable = Able to be plowed.
When not to use
Don't use for land used only for grazing (that's 'pastoral' land).
Fun facts
- The amount of arable land per person has been shrinking worldwide since the 1960s due to population growth.
Related words
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