Search Dictionary
Definition of stew

stew

/stuː/
stew

Plural:stews
•
Past Simple:stewed
•
Past Participle:stewed
•
Present Participle:stewing
JUMP TO:

stew Lexical Profile

stew Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A dish of meat, vegetables, or both, cooked slowly in liquid in a closed container.

Example

"We enjoyed a hearty beef stew with crusty bread on a cold winter evening."


2

A state of great anxiety, agitation, or confusion.

Example

"He was in a complete stew over the missing documents before the meeting."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for stew
Antonyms
View all antonyms for stew

• verb

1

To cook slowly in liquid in a closed dish or pan (especially meat, fruit, or vegetables).

Example

"She left the apples to stew on the stove with cinnamon and sugar."


2

To brood or worry over a prolonged period (especially regarding an injustice or grievance).

Example

"Instead of addressing the issue directly, he just sat in his room and stewed over the insult."


3

To swelter or suffer in excessively hot and stuffy conditions.

Example

"The passengers were left to stew in the unairconditioned train for three hours."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for stew
Antonyms
View all antonyms for stew

• Rhymes for stew

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'stewen', from Old French 'estuver' meaning 'to take a hot bath' or 'to stew', deriving from Vulgar Latin 'extufare' (to evaporate).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Stew. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 6, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/stew
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Dictionary & Reference
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.