English vocabulary · C1
Strew
/struː/ · v.
Strew means to spread many small things over a place. They lie here and there across the ground.
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Example sentences
- They strewed flowers on the path.
- Leaves were strewn across the yard.
Word origin and roots
from Old English
- strew — spread (from Old English)
Synonyms and nuances
- SCATTER — put in many places (Put Far Apart)
- SPREAD — put over a wide area (Cover More Space)
- SPRINKLE — put small bits around (Add Small Bits)
Words with the same root
strew — spread
- straw — dry plant stems
Lesson notes
Strew means to spread many small things over a place. They lie here and there across the ground.
Related: scatter, spread, sprinkle. Use strew when many small things cover a wide area in a loose way.
They strewed flowers on the path. Leaves were strewn across the yard.
From Old English. Strew means spread. Spread things across a place: that is strew.