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

Delightfully creamy, this marbled blush imparts a flush of color and gives the cheeks a healthy dew. —Tracy Achonwa, Vogue, 26 June 2024

Designs inspired by dew drops on a spider’s web were hand beaded and crocheted and overlayed in situ with a silvery chainmail, then adorned with tear drop pearls or crystals. —Alex Wynne, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019

Every year, the town of Kazanlak and its surrounding villages hold a festival where visitors can watch growers picking their roses early in the morning, pulling off the petals before the dew disappears. —Catherine Garcia, theweek, 15 Mar. 2024

The two stay there, staring into each other’s eyes in a position of dominance and submission, until Arnold cuts away to a clump of branches dotted with dew, the drops of moisture threatening to drip. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Feb. 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