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

Indeed, dew is integral to Tinashe’s go-to aesthetic. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 8 Aug. 2024

Memoirs of transgender people are almost always about that moment, when a little morning dew is still twinkling on the cobwebs of their transitions. —Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 6 Aug. 2024

Watering in the evening, when dew is prevalent, also sets the scene for fungal growth on grass blades that will remain wet overnight. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 July 2024

Like many herbs, sage is best harvested in the morning after the dew has dried for peak flavor. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 July 2024

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

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