sew

1
[ soh ]
/ soʊ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR sew ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), sewed, sewn or sewed, sew·ing.

to join or attach by stitches.
to make, repair, etc., (a garment) by such means.
to enclose or secure with stitches: to sew flour in a bag.
to close (a hole, wound, etc.) by means of stitches (usually followed by up).

verb (used without object), sewed, sewn or sewed, sew·ing.

to work with a needle and thread or with a sewing machine.

Verb Phrases

sew up,
  1. Informal. to get or have a monopoly of; control exclusively.
  2. Informal. to complete or conclude (arrangements, negotiations, etc.) successfully: They were about to sew up the deal when the argument started.
  3. to gain or be assured of: He tried to sew up as many votes as possible before the convention.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of sew

1
before 900; Middle English sewen, Old English siw(i)an; cognate with Old High German siuwan, Gothic siujan, Latin suere (see suture); akin to seam

OTHER WORDS FROM sew

sew·a·ble, adjective, noun

Words nearby sew

sevier, sevier river, seville, seville orange, sevruga, sew, sew up, sewage, sewage farm, sewage gas, sewall
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to sew up

exclude, possess, utilize, absorb, suspend, halt, conclude, discontinue, retire, terminate, leave, cease, withdraw, abandon, drop, appoint, organize, slate, set, arrange

British Dictionary definitions for sew up (1 of 2)

sew up

verb (tr, adverb)

to fasten or mend completely by sewing
US to acquire sole use or control of
informal to complete or negotiate successfullyto sew up a deal

British Dictionary definitions for sew up (2 of 2)

sew
/ (səʊ) /

verb sews, sewing, sewed, sewn or sewed

to join or decorate (pieces of fabric, etc) by means of a thread repeatedly passed through with a needle or similar implement
(tr; often foll by on or up) to attach, fasten, or close by sewing
(tr) to make (a garment, etc) by sewing
See also sew up

Word Origin for sew

Old English sēowan; related to Old Norse sӯja, Gothic siujan, Old High German siuwen, Latin suere to sew, Sanskrit sīvjati he sews
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with sew up

sew up
1

Complete successfully, as in Our team has sewn up the championship. [Colloquial; c. 1900]

2

Gain complete control of, monopolize, as in Our restaurant hopes to sew up the town's takeout business. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.