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

Harvesting is best done in the morning when dew has dried and the leaves are no longer wet. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025

The evening smells like sweet dew. —R29 Team, Refinery29, 19 Sep. 2025

Remember the dew as well and be sure to wipe down your irons and fairway woods before striking the ball. —Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 18 Sep. 2025

As the island receives little rain, the ash retains moisture from the morning dew, its main water source. —Lauren David, Travel + Leisure, 16 Sep. 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