strew
/stru:/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: 1. To scatter or spread things untidily over a surface or area: To distribute objects loosely and irregularly across an area. 2. To cover a surface with scattered things: To be dispersed or spread over an area, often creating a messy or untidy appearance.
Usage
The verb "strew" describes the action of spreading objects in a random, disordered manner. It often implies a lack of neat arrangement. The past participle can be either "strewed" or "strewn."
Examples
- Basic Usage:
- The wind had strewn leaves all over the garden path.
- She strewed rose petals along the aisle before the wedding.
- Passive/Descriptive Usage:
- The floor was strewn with toys and books.
- After the party, the lawn was strewed with empty cups and plates.
Advanced Usage
- "to be strewn with": This common construction describes a place that is covered with scattered items.
- The ancient battlefield was strewn with the wreckage of war.
- Used in literary or descriptive contexts to convey a scene of disorder or abundant, random distribution.
- The manuscript pages were strewn across his desk.
Variants and Related Words
- Strewed: The simple past tense and a less common past participle form.
- Strewn: A common past participle form.
- Bestrew (verb, archaic/poetic): A synonym meaning to scatter over.
Synonyms
- Scatter: To throw or drop things so they spread out irregularly.
- Sprinkle: To scatter small drops or particles.
- Litter: To make a place untidy by leaving rubbish or objects scattered around.
Phrasal Verbs
This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.
Related Idioms
- Strew in one's path: To place obstacles or challenges before someone (often used figuratively).
- Fate seemed to strew difficulties in his path.
Verb
- cover; be dispersed over
- Dead bodies strewed the ground
- spread by scattering ("straw" is archaic)
- strew toys all over the carpet