sew
B1Neutral (used in both informal and formal contexts).
Definition
Meaning
to join pieces of fabric or other material together using a needle and thread, creating stitches.
To create, mend, or attach something using a needle and thread; can also be used metaphorically to mean to bring disparate elements together into a cohesive whole.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a transitive verb, but can be intransitive. The past participle is 'sewn' or 'sewed' (UK tends to favour 'sewn').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is identical. Minor differences exist in the preferred past participle ('sewn' is more common in both, but 'sewed' is slightly more frequent in AmE). Both dialects have the irregular verb 'sew-sewed-sewn/sewed'.
Connotations
Identical. Often associated with domestic skills, fashion, and tailoring.
Frequency
Frequency is very similar across both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + sew + [Object] (transitive)[Subject] + sew + [Adverbial] (intransitive)[Subject] + sew + [Object] + on/up/together[Subject] + sew + [Indirect Object] + [Direct Object] (e.g., sew me a dress)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sew something up (to finalise or secure something conclusively, e.g., 'They've sewn up the deal.')”
- “bored enough to sew buttons on the carpet (extremely bored)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Metaphorical: 'to sew up a market/deal.'
Academic
Rare, except in historical or technical texts about textiles.
Everyday
Common for discussing clothing repair, crafts, and fashion projects.
Technical
Used in textile manufacturing, surgery ('to sew up a wound'), and bookbinding.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She learned to sew in her home economics class.
- Could you sew this button back on my coat?
- The surgeon will sew the wound closed.
- He spent the afternoon sewing up the hole in his jeans.
American English
- She learned to sew in home ec class.
- Can you sew this button back on my jacket?
- The surgeon will sew the incision shut.
- He spent the afternoon sewing the patches onto his backpack.
adverb
British English
- Not a standard adverb form. 'Sewingly' is obsolete/not used.
American English
- Not a standard adverb form. 'Sewingly' is obsolete/not used.
adjective
British English
- The sewing kit was full of colourful threads.
- She has excellent sewing skills.
American English
- The sewing kit was full of colorful threads.
- She has great sewing skills.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandmother can sew very well.
- I need to sew a button on my shirt.
- She is sewing a dress.
- He had to sew up a tear in his tent during the camping trip.
- They taught us how to sew by hand and with a machine.
- I'm going to sew some curtains for the kitchen.
- The costume designer had to sew the entire cast's outfits in just one week.
- After the accident, it took fifty stitches to sew the wound closed.
- She skillfully sewed the intricate pattern onto the cushion cover.
- The treaty aimed to sew together the frayed relations between the two nations.
- Having sewn up the nomination early, the candidate could focus on the general election.
- The author's genius lies in her ability to sew seemingly disparate narratives into a cohesive and compelling whole.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine you **SOW** seeds in a row, but you **SEW** stitches in a row.
Conceptual Metaphor
CREATION IS WEAVING/SEWING ('sew together a coalition', 'a tightly sewn plot').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'sow' (/saʊ/ - to plant seeds).
- In Russian, 'шить' (to sew) is distinct from 'сеять' (to sow).
Common Mistakes
- Confusing spelling/pronunciation with 'sow'.
- Incorrect past participle: 'I have sew' instead of 'I have sewn/sewed'.
- Using 'sew' for joining with glue or staples (use 'glue' or 'staple').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct past participle of 'sew'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'sew' is pronounced identically to 'so' (/səʊ/ in RP, /soʊ/ in GenAm). It does NOT rhyme with 'few'.
'Sew' (/soʊ/) is with needle and thread. 'Sow' (/saʊ/) means to plant seeds. 'Sow' (/saʊ/ or /soʊ/ for the animal) is a female pig. Context is key.
Yes, metaphorically. 'To sew up a deal' means to finalise or secure it completely, leaving no loose ends.
The most common errors are pronouncing it to rhyme with 'few' (it rhymes with 'go') and confusing its spelling/meaning with 'sow' (to plant).