strew
C1Literary or formal
Definition
Meaning
To scatter or spread things untidily over a surface or area.
To be spread or scattered in a disorderly manner; to cover a surface with scattered items; often implies a lack of care or order in the distribution.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used with an object denoting small, loose items (e.g., petals, leaves, papers, toys). Can imply a random or decorative scattering. The past participle 'strewn' is more common than the past simple 'strewed'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties predominantly use 'strewn' as the past participle. The verb is equally literary/formal in both dialects.
Connotations
Connotes a somewhat poetic, deliberate, or noticeable act of scattering. In both dialects, it suggests more than just 'dropping' – it implies covering an area.
Frequency
Low-frequency, literary verb in both dialects. Slightly more likely to be encountered in written texts than in everyday spoken conversation.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] strew [NP] [PrepP] (e.g., She strewed petals along the path)[NP] be strewn with [NP] (e.g., The floor was strewn with papers)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “strew (something) to the four winds (to scatter something widely or irretrievably)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in metaphorical use: 'The report was strewn with errors.'
Academic
Used in literary analysis, historical descriptions, or scientific writing describing distribution: 'Artifacts were strewn across the site.'
Everyday
Uncommon in casual speech. Might be used for descriptive effect: 'Don't strew your toys all over the living room.'
Technical
Possible in geology/ecology (e.g., 'strewn field' of meteorites) or archaeology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They will strew wildflower seeds along the motorway embankment.
- The path was prettily strewn with autumn leaves.
American English
- He strewed his clothes all over the bedroom floor.
- The field was strewn with debris after the tornado.
adverb
British English
- (No adverb form derived from 'strew').
American English
- (No adverb form derived from 'strew').
adjective
British English
- (No common adjective form. 'Strewn' is a participle adjective.) The strewn papers made the office look chaotic.
American English
- (No common adjective form. 'Strewn' is a participle adjective.) We entered a strewn and ransacked room.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The wind strewed the papers across the garden.
- Please don't strew your books on the table.
- The wedding aisle was traditionally strewn with rose petals.
- After the party, the floor was strewn with empty cups and wrappers.
- Archaeologists found bones strewn haphazardly around the burial chamber.
- His speech was strewn with obscure literary references, bewildering some of the audience.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'STRAW' being scattered or 'STREWN' on a barn floor. The 'STR-' beginning is like 'STRetch' or 'STRow' things apart.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISORDER IS SCATTERING / ABUNDANCE IS COVERING (e.g., a path strewn with roses = a path covered abundantly with roses, often metaphorically for good fortune or celebration).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'строить' (to build).
- The core meaning is closer to 'разбрасывать', 'рассыпать', not 'класть' or 'ставить'.
- The past participle 'strewn' is very common; remember it as 'усыпанный', 'усеянный'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'strewed' instead of 'strewn' as the past participle (though 'strewed' is technically correct, 'strewn' is standard).
- Confusing with 'straw'.
- Using in overly casual contexts where 'scatter' or 'leave lying around' would be more natural.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'strew' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are historically correct, but 'strewn' is the standard, universally accepted past participle in modern English. 'Strewn' is used almost exclusively.
No, 'strew' is not typically used for liquids. It is for discrete, solid objects. For liquids, use 'sprinkle', 'splash', or 'spill'.
'Strew' is more literary and often implies the things scattered are left lying visibly on a surface, sometimes with a decorative or noticeable effect. 'Scatter' is more general and neutral, used in both everyday and technical contexts.
'Bestrew' is an archaic synonym meaning 'to strew over (a surface)'. It is very rarely used in contemporary English outside of poetic or deliberately archaic contexts.