Meaning & use
planted
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“planted” is a form of “plant”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivebefore a noundisapproving
Secretly placed to appear genuine and mislead people, especially evidence or a person.
Grammar: Before a noun; suggests deliberate deception rather than ordinary gardening.
Patterns
- planted evidence
- planted question
- planted in the audience
The defense argued that the evidence had been planted.
A planted question let the minister give a prepared answer.
Security found a planted device near the entrance.
adjectivebefore a noun
Put into soil or fixed in the ground so it can grow or remain steady.
Grammar: Less common as an adjective; more often say newly planted trees using the verb.
Patterns
- newly planted trees
- planted seeds
- planted firmly
The newly planted trees need regular water.
Planted seeds should not dry out.
Keep the pole planted firmly in the ground.
Common combinations
- planted evidence
- The review concluded that the planted evidence was unreliable.
- planted question
- A planted question made the meeting feel scripted.
- newly planted
- Protect newly planted seedlings from frost.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fabricated
- Fabricated means invented or falsified; planted emphasizes secretly positioning something to be found.
- staged
- Staged suggests arranged to look spontaneous, often an event; planted often fits objects, evidence, or people.
- hidden
- Hidden only means not visible; planted adds intent to deceive or be discovered later.
Opposites
Word family
- plant verb
- To place something somewhere, or to put seeds and plants into soil.
- plant noun
- A living organism such as a tree, flower, or crop.
- plantation noun
- A large farm where crops such as tea, rubber, or sugar are grown.
- planter noun
- A person or machine that plants, a plantation owner, or a pot for plants.
Commonly confused: planted or planned? planted or implanted?
planted vs planned
Planned, with one t, means arranged in advance; planted is from plant and can mean secretly placed or put in soil.
planted vs implanted
Implanted means fixed inside the body or firmly introduced; planted is broader and often secret or agricultural.
Practice
Which sentence uses “planted” to mean secretly placed?
Choose one answer.
The first sentence implies the fingerprints were secretly put there to mislead. The others use plant literally or figuratively for feet/a kiss, not deception.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “planted”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.