1 C1 idiomatic neutral
For the best candidates or ideas to rise and become prominent through a filtering or competitive process.
"The accelerator programme was designed to winnow up the most promising start-ups from the region."
inseparable
winnow up
C1 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
For the best or most valuable elements to rise to the top through a process of sorting or filtering; to sort in order to elevate the best.
In plain English
To sort through things so the best ones come to the top.
What does "winnow up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
The upward movement in the winnowing process where grain separates from chaff.
Actually means
To sort through things so the best ones come to the top.
Usage tip
Very rare. Not found in standard dictionaries. Mirrors the agricultural image of winnowing where the good grain falls while chaff blows away — 'winnow up' focuses on the rising of quality rather than the removal of the inferior. May appear in specialised or poetic usage.
Words that pair with "winnow up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
talent quality ideas candidates
How to conjugate "winnow up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
winnow up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
winnows up
he/she/it
Past simple
winnowed up
yesterday
Past participle
winnowed up
have + pp
-ing form
winnowing up
continuous
Hear "winnow up" in the wild
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