strew

[ stroo ]

verb (used with object)

, strewed, strewn [stroon] or strewed, strew·ing.

1. to let fall in separate pieces or particles over a surface; scatter or sprinkle:

   to strew seed in a garden bed.

   Synonyms: broadcast

   Antonyms: reap, gather

2. to cover or overspread (a surface, place, etc.) with something scattered or sprinkled:

   to strew a floor with sawdust.

3. to be scattered or sprinkled over (a surface):

   Sawdust strewed the floor.

4. to spread widely; disseminate:

   to strew rumors among the troops.

strew

/ struː /

verb

1. to spread or scatter or be spread or scattered, as over a surface or area

Derived Forms

• ˈstrewer, noun

Other Words From

• strew·er noun
• un·der·strew verb (used with object) understrewed understrewn or understrewed understrewing

Word History and Origins

Origin of strew¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English strewen, Old English strewian; cognate with German streuen, Old Norse strā, Gothic straujan; akin to Latin sternere “to spread” ( stratum )

Word History and Origins

Origin of strew¹

Old English streowian; related to Old Norse strā, Old High German streuwen, Latin struere to spread

Synonym Study

See sprinkle.

Example Sentences

The developers said hidden Easter eggs and references will be strewn about, but were adamant that this is a new story focusing on new relationships and characters.

From Washington Post

Bloodstained backpacks and charred notebooks lay strewn among their dead bodies.

From Time

In Speed Golf and Battle Golf you fill up the energy meter by picking up coins strewn across the course.

From Washington Post

In one building, parts of the ceiling were strewn across the floor.

From ProPublica

Selecting the Olympic gymnastics team is a bit like a Swarovski crystal-strewn game of “choose your own adventure.”

From FiveThirtyEight

Pour on a wine-glassful of Sauterne or vin de Grave, and strew over it some Spanish pimento.

From Project Gutenberg

Salt and pepper these highly, and strew over it finely chopped onion and parsley.

From Project Gutenberg

It is her duty to open the eastern doors of the palace of the sun, and to strew the path of Apollo, the sun god, with roses.

From Project Gutenberg

And she went to strew the flowers still left over Catherine's grave.

From Project Gutenberg

These she was to strew in front of the lodge, leaving only a small path uncovered by them.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• scatter
• sprinkle