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.
The archival skirt flared into textured layers, sewn to create a waterfall effect down Sink’s legs. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 15 Aug. 2026 This seaweed design is sewn to resemble what the plant looks like under an X-Ray. — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 9 Aug. 2026 Souleymane’s journey’s is sluiced by simple but touching scenes such as his bonding with his brother sewing and with grandfather praying and metaphorical shots of the wash of the ocean on Dakar’s beaches. — John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026 Here the artists sew a conquered woman holding her child’s hand, begging for humanity. — Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sew. Accessed 16 Aug. 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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