noun
yew
yoo
Yew (noun) means an evergreen coniferous tree with dark needles and red berry-like seed cases, native to Europe and parts of Asia. Example: “The old churchyard was lined with ancient yew trees.”
noun
1
An evergreen coniferous tree with dark needles and red berry-like seed cases, native to Europe and parts of Asia.
"At Darley Dale, in Derbyshire, there is another yew about 1,000 years younger with a 32 ft girth, while a mighty yew at Goudhurst, Kent, has a bench seating 12 in its hollow trunk."
— AA Book of British Villages, Drive Publications Ltd (1980)
"The old churchyard was lined with ancient yew trees."
2
The wood of this tree, traditionally prized for making longbows.
"Medieval English archers favored bows carved from yew."
How to use yew
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dark, dense evergreen tree, historically used for making bows, and often planted in old churchyards.
Common mistake
Do not confuse with "ewe" (a female sheep) or "you" — all pronounced the same way.
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Word forms
- Plural
- yews
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old churchyard was lined with ancient _____ trees.
Etymology
From Old English iw, going back to a very old Indo-European root for this type of evergreen tree.
Frequently asked questions
What does “yew” mean?
The word “yew” means an evergreen coniferous tree with dark needles and red berry-like seed cases, native to Europe and parts of Asia. In plain terms, a dark, dense evergreen tree, historically used for making bows, and often planted in old churchyards.
How do you pronounce “yew”?
“Yew” is pronounced yoo (/juː/ in IPA).
How do you use “yew” in a sentence?
Here is “yew” used in a sentence: “The old churchyard was lined with ancient yew trees.”
What part of speech is “yew”?
“Yew” is a noun.
Where does the word “yew” come from?
The word “yew” comes from Old English. From Old English iw, going back to a very old Indo-European root for this type of evergreen tree.
How many meanings does “yew” have?
“Yew” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an evergreen coniferous tree with dark needles and red berry-like seed cases, native to Europe and parts of Asia.
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