# sew

/ˈsoʊ/ (US) · /sˈəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sew
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to join fabric

verb · CEFR B1

to join pieces of cloth together using a needle and thread.

For teachers: to join, fasten, or repair fabric or other materials by making stitches with a needle and thread.

- My grandmother taught me how to sew a button onto a shirt.
- After the hem of her dress caught on the chair, she had to quickly sew it back into place before the ceremony began.

Usage: The past participle is usually 'sewn', though 'sewed' is sometimes accepted.

### 2. to make by sewing

verb · CEFR B1

to make a piece of clothing or an object using a needle and thread.

For teachers: to create a garment or textile object through the process of stitching.

- He decided to sew his own Halloween costume this year.
- The designer spent weeks learning how to sew intricate patterns into the silk for the summer collection.

### 3. nautical grounding

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

when a ship rests on the ground because the water is too shallow.

For teachers: to rest on the ground, as a ship when the water level falls; the ship is said to 'sew' by the amount the water level has dropped below its floating depth.

- The boat began to sew as the tide went out in the small harbour.
- The vessel was found to sew two feet at low water, making it impossible to move until the next high tide.

Usage: Usually used in the context of a ship being 'sewed' by a specific measurement of depth.

## Examples

- I need to sew a button onto my shirt.
- She learned to sew her own clothes to save money and express her personal style.
- The tailor had to sew the delicate lace onto the silk gown by hand to ensure the stitches remained invisible to the naked eye.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.