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

Did you know?

This is a deposit of water droplets formed at night by the condensation of water vapor from the air onto the surfaces of exposed objects. Dew forms on clear nights, when exposed surfaces lose heat by radiation and are thus usually colder than the air. The cold surface cools the air in its vicinity, and, if the air is humid enough, it may cool below its dew point, the temperature at which water vapor condenses out of the air onto the surface.

Examples of dew in a Sentence

Noun

The grass was wet with the morning dew.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Avoid morning hours when flowers are damp with dew and late evening when dew descends on the garden. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2026

The most seductive is a spectacular piece called the Untamed, which physically embodies the jeweler’s sensibilities in an 18-karat-white-gold strand of ivy with diamond leaves interspersed with tiny rock-crystal dew droplets. —Jill Newman, Robb Report, 18 June 2026

Traditionally, many Europeans gathered dew, herbs or leaves on Midsummer eve, which was reputed to ensure health, beauty and good fortune. —Thomas A. Dubois, The Conversation, 17 June 2026

Avoid Mowing Wet Grass One of the worst times to mow the lawn is when the leaf blades are damp from rain, irrigation, or dew. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 13 June 2026

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