Definition

To work on someone else's land and pay for the use of it by giving a part of the crops produced.

Example

Many families in the South used to sharecrop during the early 20th century.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Have you ever thought about how difficult it is to sharecrop?

Yeah, I can’t imagine working like that. It must be really tough.

I read that many people still sharecrop today, despite the challenges.

That’s surprising! I thought it was mostly a thing of the past.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

To farm land owned by someone else and share the crops produced with the landowner as payment.

Example

Many families in the South used to sharecrop during the early 20th century.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you hear about the farm down the road?

Yeah, I heard they sharecrop a lot of their fields.

It sounds like a good way to make a living if you enjoy farming.

Root Explanation

Sharecrop → It is formed from "share" (from Old English "scearu", meaning a division or part) and "crop" (from Old English "cropp", meaning the top or head of a plant, especially a cultivated plant). The term "sharecrop" refers to a system where a farmer works land owned by another and shares a portion of the crop as payment.

Memory Tip

Think of 'share' as a division of something and 'crop' as the cultivated plants — together, they describe a system where a farmer divides the harvest with the landowner.

Visually Confused Words