name Uncommon

Dewey

DOO-ee

Dewey (name) means a given name or surname, notably associated with the Dewey Decimal System used to classify library books. Example: “She looked up the Dewey number to find the book on the shelf.”

name

A given name or surname, notably associated with the Dewey Decimal System used to classify library books.

"She looked up the Dewey number to find the book on the shelf."

noun

Slang for a charge of driving under the influence (DUI).

"He got picked up on a dewey after leaving the bar."

How to use Dewey

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBest known through the Dewey Decimal library classification system; also slang for a DUI charge.

Word forms

deweys plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “Dewey” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She looked up the _____ number to find the book on the shelf.

Etymology

Possibly from the French place name Douai, or from Welsh Dewi (a form of David).

Origin: French

Rhymes for Dewey

key hey bey dey ley grey they joey whey obey prey abbey

See all rhymes for Dewey →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Dewey” mean?

The word “Dewey” means a given name or surname, notably associated with the Dewey Decimal System used to classify library books. In plain terms, best known through the Dewey Decimal library classification system; also slang for a DUI charge.

How do you pronounce “Dewey”?

“Dewey” is pronounced DOO-ee (/ˈduːi/ in IPA).

How do you use “Dewey” in a sentence?

Here is “Dewey” used in a sentence: “She looked up the Dewey number to find the book on the shelf.”

What part of speech is “Dewey”?

Depending on how it is used, “Dewey” can be a name and a noun.

Where does the word “Dewey” come from?

The word “Dewey” comes from French. Possibly from the French place name Douai, or from Welsh Dewi (a form of David).

Is “Dewey” a common word?

“Dewey” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Dewey” have?

“Dewey” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a given name or surname, notably associated with the Dewey Decimal System used to classify library books.