dew

1 of 2

noun

ˈdü 

 also  ˈdyü

1

meteorology : moisture condensed upon the surfaces of cool bodies especially at night

wet with morning dew

2

: something resembling dew in purity, freshness, or power to refresh

… the golden dew of sleep …

—William Shakespeare

3

: moisture especially when appearing in minute droplets: such as

a

: tears

b

: sweat

c

botany : droplets of water produced by a plant in transpiration

dew transitive verb

dewless

ˈdü-ləs 

 also  ˈdyü-

adjective

DEW

2 of 2

abbreviation

distant early warning

Examples of dew in a Sentence

Noun

The grass was wet with the morning dew.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Avoid mowing in the early morning or evening when dew may be on the grass. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 June 2025

The sky above was blue, not a cloud in sight, the green grass still damp with dew. —Karl Ove Knausgaard, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025

Studded with dew, the gossamer strands make a beautiful trap in the predawn darkness. —Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025

Similar to its dew drop counterpart, the flush consists of niacinimide, watermelon extract, and centella asiatica for their brightening and calming properties. —Cierra Black, Essence, 6 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English dēaw; akin to Old High German tou dew, Greek thein to run

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dew

• dew point
• dew worm
• mountain dew

Rhymes for dew

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• do

Kids Definition

dew

noun

ˈd(y)ü 

1

: moisture that collects on the surfaces of cool bodies at night

2

: something resembling dew in purity, freshness, or power to refresh

dewy

ˈd(y)ü-ē

adjective