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 mother, Avie Lee, would sew scraps of fabric together to make clothes for the family. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 The first two belong to the same patent family and concern tools used to assemble digital garments from two-dimensional pattern pieces, including functions that help designers match the lengths of segments being virtually sewn together. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026 Everything is hand-carved, painted and sewn in the facility but craftspeople. — Carole Horst, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026 Using a wide-eye needle and embroidery floss, sew all around the fold to create a channel. — Jodi Levine, Parents, 21 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 1 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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