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Rain vs Dew - What's the difference?

rain | dew |

As nouns the difference between rain and dew

is that rain is condensed water falling from a cloud while dew is moisture in the air that settles on plants, etc in the morning, resulting in drops.

As verbs the difference between rain and dew

is that rain is to have rain fall from the sky while dew is to wet with, or as if with, dew; to moisten.

As an acronym DEW is

distant Early Warning.

rain

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • Condensed water falling from a cloud.
  • We've been having a lot of rain lately .
    The rains came late that year.
  • (figuratively) Any matter moving or falling, usually through air, and especially if liquid or otherwise figuratively identifiable with raindrops.
  • (figuratively) An instance of particles or larger pieces of matter moving or falling through air.
  • A rain of mortar fire fell on our trenches.

    Alternative forms

    * (l) (obsolete)

    Usage notes

    * shower, downpour, drop are some of the words used to count rain.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    en verb)
  • (impersonal) To have rain fall from the sky.
  • It will rain today.
  • To fall as or like rain.
  • * Shakespeare
  • The rain it raineth every day.
    Tears rained from her eyes.
  • To fall in large quantities.
  • Bombs rained from the sky.
  • To issue (something) in large quantities.
  • The boxer rained punches on his opponent's head.

    Derived terms

    * Also see * it never rains but it pours * rain cats and dogs, rain dogs and cats * rain down * rain off

    See also

    * drizzle * hail * mizzle * precipitation * serein * shower * sleet * snow * storm *

    Anagrams

    * 1000 English basic words ----

    dew

    English

    (wikipedia dew)

    Noun

  • (uncountable) moisture in the air that settles on plants, etc in the morning, resulting in drops.
  • (countable, but see usage notes) an instance of a such moisture settling on plants, etc.
  • There was a heavy dew this morning.
  • (uncountable) Any moisture from the atmosphere condensed by cool bodies upon their surfaces.
  • (figurative) Anything that falls lightly and in a refreshing manner.
  • * Shakespeare
  • The golden dew of sleep.
  • An emblem of morning, or fresh vigour.
  • * Longfellow
  • The dew of his youth.

    Usage notes

    * Although the countable sense is still used, the plural form is now archaic or poetic only.

    Synonyms

    * (moisture settling on plants) (obsolete)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To wet with, or as if with, dew; to moisten.
  • * A. B. Saxton
  • The grasses grew / A little ranker since they dewed them so.

    Anagrams

    * ----