adjective
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moist with or as with dew
a dewy complexion
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of or resembling dew
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poetic suggesting, falling, or refreshing like dew
dewy sleep
Other Word Forms
- dewily adverb
- dewiness noun
- undewily adverb
- undewiness noun
- undewy adjective
Etymology
Origin of dewy
before 1000; Middle English; Old English dēawig; see dew, -y 1
Explanation
Something that's dewy is slightly damp, or beaded with moisture. The dewy grass early in the morning might leave wet marks on your sneakers. Anything that has dew on it — the tiny water drops left overnight by condensation — is dewy. The ground, leaves, blades of grass, and even your car might be dewy on a cool spring morning. You can also describe something very smooth and glowing, especially a person's skin, as dewy. The Old English root word is dēawig.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But don’t mistake the perfect blowout and dewy skin for softness.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026
Wearing an understated but chic outfit, flowing braids and a dewy, make-up free face, Arop Akol looks like your typical off-duty model.
From BBC • Jun. 7, 2025
In the sketch during the Weekend Update segment, Yang performed as a "dewy" hippo influencer and echoed lines from several of Roan's TikToks where she addressed her fans about respecting boundaries.
From Salon • Sep. 30, 2024
The skin was high-shine dewy — which Flowers says has been a trend this season — with a bitten lip.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2024
Through the dewy weeds below the window, a toad hopped suddenly into view and Winnie peered at it eagerly.
From "Tuck Everlasting" by Natalie Babbit
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
