yew
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.”
How to use yew
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dark, dense evergreen tree, historically used for making bows, and often planted in old churchyards.
Do not confuse with "ewe" (a female sheep) or "you" — all pronounced the same way.
Word forms
yews plural
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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