What does "dew" mean?

1. (moisture on plants) small drops of water that form on the ground and plants during the night when the air cools down. 2. (to moisten) to make something wet with tiny drops of water, or for those drops to form naturally.

How do you use "dew"?

Uncountable when referring to the substance generally. Often used in a figurative or poetic sense to describe light moisture.

dew

n. · v.

US //ˈdu// UK //djˈuː// dew

1 moisture on plants (n.)
B1 Intermediate Science

small drops of water that form on the ground and plants during the night when the air cools down.

atmospheric moisture condensed in small drops upon cool surfaces, particularly vegetation, during the night or early morning.

Example

The morning dew made the grass feel wet against my shoes.

Example

Heavy dew had settled on the valley overnight, leaving the vineyard shimmering under the first rays of the morning sun.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the substance generally.
- moisture
- condensation
2 to moisten (v.)
C2 Proficiency Literary

to make something wet with tiny drops of water, or for those drops to form naturally.

to wet or moisten a surface with or as if with dew; can be used transitively or to describe the natural process of condensation.

Example

The mist dewed the windows of the old cottage.

Example

As the temperature plummeted, the cold air began to dew the metal surfaces of the abandoned machinery.

Usage

Often used in a figurative or poetic sense to describe light moisture.
- moisten
- wet
- dampen
- dry

Last updated June 20, 2026