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

Humidity usually rises overnight as temperatures fall, which is why nights feel damp and dew forms by early morning. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026

Some of the color choices include eclipse, river and sea salt stripe, coconut and sandalwood stripe, laurel, dew, and sandalwood. — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Diatomaceous earth loses effectiveness when wet, Ellis says, and should be reapplied after rain or heavy dew. — Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 24 June 2026

Likewise, do not mow when the lawn is wet from dew or irrigation. — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 23 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