pew
B1Formal for the noun (church furniture); informal/exclamatory for the interjection.
Definition
Meaning
A long bench with a back, typically fixed in rows, for the congregation in a church.
Informal exclamation expressing disgust at a smell. Can also refer to a unit of measurement in heraldry or a private box in a theatre (archaic).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun denotes specific church furniture. The interjection is onomatopoeic, mimicking a reaction to a bad smell, and is often used humorously or by children.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The noun meaning is identical. The interjection 'pew!' (for smell) is slightly more common in American English, where 'pee-yew' is a common variant. The phrase 'take a pew' (sit down) is more common in UK informal speech.
Connotations
In both, the noun is neutral/religious. The interjection is childish or playful.
Frequency
Noun: Low frequency in everyday speech outside religious contexts. Interjection: Low frequency, used mostly in informal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[congregation] sat in the [adjective] pew[person] took a pew (idiomatic)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take a pew (sit down)”
- “Pew warmer (a regular but passive churchgoer)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Used in historical/architectural/religious studies contexts.
Everyday
Used when discussing church attendance or reacting humorously to a smell.
Technical
Used in heraldry (a unit) and church architecture/furnishing.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We sat on a hard pew in the old church.
- Pew! What's that smell?
- The family has rented the same front pew for decades.
- 'Take a pew,' he said, pointing to the empty chair.
- The medieval pews were removed during the Victorian restoration of the cathedral.
- His research focused on the social stratification evident in the historical allocation of church pews.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PEW: People Sit in a Church on a Wooden bench. (P=People, E=Church (shape of a church with a steeple?), W=Wooden).
Conceptual Metaphor
STABILITY/PERMANENCE IS BEING FIXED TO THE FLOOR (like a pew).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with the Russian verb 'пью' (I drink), which is pronounced similarly.
Common Mistakes
- Spelling confusion with 'pue' or 'peugh'. Using 'pew' as a verb for sitting (except in idiom 'take a pew').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'pew' LEAST likely to be used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes, it refers to benches in Christian places of worship. Similar benches in other religions are usually just called benches or seats.
Not in modern standard English. The archaic verb 'to pew' meant to furnish with pews. The modern idiomatic phrase is 'to take a pew' (to sit down).
Yes, it rhymes with 'few', 'cue', and 'queue'. The IPA is /pjuː/.
A 'pew' is a fixed, usually plain bench for multiple people in a public setting (church). A 'chaise longue' is a long, upholstered chair for one person to recline on, found in private homes.