noun
Uncommon
pew
PYOO
Pew (noun) means a long wooden bench for seating people in a church, usually fixed in rows facing the altar. Example: “They squeezed into a pew near the back for the wedding.”
noun
1
A long wooden bench for seating people in a church, usually fixed in rows facing the altar.
"They squeezed into a pew near the back for the wedding."
"The front pews were reserved for the family."
intj
1
An exclamation of disgust at a bad smell.
"Pew, something in the fridge has gone off!"
How to use pew
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA church bench, or (as an interjection) a reaction to a nasty smell.
Common pairings
front pew
church pew
sit in a pew
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Word forms
- Plural
- pews
- Third person singular
- pews
- Past tense
- pewed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They squeezed into a _____ near the back for the wedding.
Etymology
From Old French puiee, "balustrade, balcony," ultimately from Latin podium — the same root as "podium."
Synonyms
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church bench
Rhymes for pew
See all rhymes for pew →Frequently asked questions
What does “pew” mean?
The word “pew” means a long wooden bench for seating people in a church, usually fixed in rows facing the altar. In plain terms, a church bench, or (as an interjection) a reaction to a nasty smell.
How do you pronounce “pew”?
“Pew” is pronounced PYOO (/ˈpjuː/ in IPA).
How do you use “pew” in a sentence?
Here is “pew” used in a sentence: “They squeezed into a pew near the back for the wedding.”
What part of speech is “pew”?
Depending on how it is used, “pew” can be a noun and an intj.
Where does the word “pew” come from?
The word “pew” comes from Latin. From Old French puiee, "balustrade, balcony," ultimately from Latin podium — the same root as "podium.".
Is “pew” a common word?
“Pew” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “pew” have?
“Pew” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long wooden bench for seating people in a church, usually fixed in rows facing the altar.
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