sew

verb

ˈsō How to pronounce sew (audio)
sewed; sewn ˈsōn How to pronounce sew (audio) or sewed; sewing
Synonyms of sewnext

transitive verb

1
: to unite or fasten by stitches
2
: to close or enclose by sewing
sew the money in a bag

intransitive verb

: to practice or engage in sewing
sewability
ˌsō-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce sew (audio)
noun
sewable
ˈsō-ə-bəl How to pronounce sew (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of sew

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Examples of sew in a Sentence

She sews her own dresses by hand. He sewed a patch onto his sleeve. I sewed the button back on the shirt. The surgeon sewed the wound shut. She designs her own dresses and sews in her free time.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Their clothing must be cut and hand sewn to fit proper 18th-century styles. — Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 26 June 2026 With these words, Nellie sews a field's worth of dramatic tension that the series reaps for seasons to come. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026 Another meaningful way to add a personal touch is to pick up needlepointing and sew your own throw pillows. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 June 2026 The massive red and white stripes that complete this enormous material mystery are machine sewn; some rows double stitched, others with a single line of stitching. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sew

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English sīwian; akin to Old High German siuwen to sew, Latin suere

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sew was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing sew

Rhymes for sew

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Browse Nearby Words

sevum
sew
sewage
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Cite this Entry

“Sew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sew. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sew

verb
ˈsō How to pronounce sew (audio)
sewed; sewn ˈsōn How to pronounce sew (audio) or sewed; sewing
1
: to join or fasten by stitches
sew on a button
2
: to work with needle and thread

More from Merriam-Webster on sew

Nglish: Translation of sew for Spanish Speakers

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