Phrase guide

sow one's wild oats

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To spread one's genes around by impregnating many females.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To engage in premarital or extramarital flings.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To have numerous sexual partners.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To indulge in a period of irresponsible behavior.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, idiomatic, often

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

live promiscuously and self-indulgently

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: sow one's oats

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: gratify, pander, indulge

History

Etymology

From being a typical useless or counterproductive occupation (wild oats is a weed, and would not be sown).

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Polish: przekazywać geny — to spread a male's genes
  • Polish: przekazać geny — to spread a male's genes
  • Swedish: så sin havre — to spread a male's genes
  • Swedish: så vildhavre — to spread a male's genes
  • Ukrainian: розно́сити своє́ сі́м'я (roznósyty svojé símʺja) — to spread a male's genes
  • Danish: løbe hornene af sig — to spend a period of one's youth behaving irresponsibly
  • French: jeter sa gourme — to spend a period of one's youth behaving irresponsibly
  • German: sich die Hörner abstoßen — to spend a period of one's youth behaving irresponsibly
  • Italian: correre la cavallina — to spend a period of one's youth behaving irresponsibly
  • Polish: być trudnym nastolatkiem — to spend a period of one's youth behaving irresponsibly
  • Ukrainian: розгуля́тися в мо́лодості (rozhuljátysja v mólodosti) — to spend a period of one's youth behaving irresponsibly