stew

noun \ ˈstü , ˈstyü \

Definition of stew

1 obsolete : a utensil used for boiling

2 : a hot bath

3 a : whorehouse

b : a district of bordellos —usually used in plural

4 a : fish or meat usually with vegetables prepared by stewing

b (1) : a heterogeneous mixture

(2) : a state of heat and congestion

5 : a state of excitement, worry, or confusion

Origin and Etymology of stew

Middle English stewe heated room for a steam bath, from Anglo-French estuve, from Vulgar Latin *extufa — more at stove

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

stew

verb

Definition of stew

transitive verb

: to boil slowly or with simmering heat

intransitive verb

1 : to become cooked by stewing

2 : to swelter especially from confinement in a hot or stuffy atmosphere

3 : to be in a state of suppressed agitation, worry, or resentment

See stew defined for English-language learners

Examples of stew in a Sentence

The meat still needs to stew.
a can of stewed tomatoes
She's been stewing over what he said for days.

First Known Use of stew

14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

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stew Synonyms

Phrases

give a hang (or care a hang), sweat blood;

stew

noun

Definition of stew

: flight attendant

Origin and Etymology of stew

short for stewardess

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1970

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Transportation Terms

camber, corduroy, demurrage, milestone

STEW Defined for English Language Learners

stew

verb

Definition of stew for English Language Learners

: to cook (something) slowly in hot liquid
: to be upset or worried

STEW Defined for Kids

stew

noun \ ˈstü , ˈstyü \

Definition of stew for Students

1 : a dish of usually meat with vegetables prepared by slow boiling

2 : a state of excitement, worry, or confusion

He got in a stew over nothing.

stew

verb

Definition of stew for Students

stewed; stewing

1 : to boil slowly : simmer

stew tomatoes

2 : to become excited or worried Don't stew over what they said.

Learn More about stew

See words that rhyme with stew Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for stew Spanish Central: Translation of stew Nglish: Translation of stew for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of stew for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stew

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stew

Definition of stew

Origin and Etymology of stew

stew

Definition of stew

Examples of stew in a Sentence

First Known Use of stew

stew Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

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Phrases

stew

Definition of stew

Origin and Etymology of stew

Other Transportation Terms

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STEW Defined for English Language Learners

stew

Definition of stew for English Language Learners

STEW Defined for Kids

stew

Definition of stew for Students

stew

Definition of stew for Students

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