sundew: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Botanical
Quick answer
What does “sundew” mean?
A small carnivorous bog plant with sticky, dewy-looking hairs on its leaves that trap insects.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small carnivorous bog plant with sticky, dewy-looking hairs on its leaves that trap insects.
Any plant of the genus Drosera, known for its insect-trapping mechanism as an adaptation to nutrient-poor soils.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The plant genus (Drosera) and common name are identical.
Connotations
Neutral botanical term in both varieties. May evoke images of specific regional bogs or heathlands.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, used primarily in botanical, horticultural, or ecological contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “sundew” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] sundew grows in [LOCATION].A sundew traps [INSECT] with its [BODY PART].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sundew” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The sundew population in this peatland is thriving.
- We conducted a sundew survey.
American English
- The sundew habitat needs protection.
- It's a sundew conservation area.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in botanical, biological, and ecological papers discussing plant adaptations or bog ecosystems.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used by gardeners, nature enthusiasts, or on educational nature walks.
Technical
Standard term in botany, horticulture, and ecology for plants of the genus Drosera.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sundew”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sundew”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sundew”
- Misspelling as 'sun dew' (two words) or 'sundue'.
- Misidentifying any glistening plant as a sundew.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, sundews are harmless to humans. Their trapping mechanism is only effective on very small insects.
Yes, but they require specific conditions: nutrient-poor, acidic soil (like peat moss), high humidity, and plenty of bright light. They must be watered with distilled or rainwater, not tap water.
It is named for the glistening, droplet-covered tips of its tentacles, which resemble morning dew sparkling in the sun.
Once an insect is stuck, the leaf may curl around it. The plant secretes digestive enzymes that break down the insect's body, and then absorbs the resulting nutrients.
A small carnivorous bog plant with sticky, dewy-looking hairs on its leaves that trap insects.
Sundew is usually technical / botanical in register.
Sundew: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌn.djuː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌn.duː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the plant's leaves sparkling with dew in the SUN, but it's actually sticky glue to catch its food.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURE'S FLYPAPER; THE DECEITFUL DEW (appears like harmless morning dew but is a lethal trap).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of the 'dew' on a sundew?