What does bestrew mean?
Bestrew means to scatter or spread something over a surface or area, usually leaving the pieces dispersed across it. The word is most often encountered in the past tense or past participle, as in "Autumn leaves bestrew the path," and in literary constructions such as "the meadow was bestrewed with flowers." Its imagery is that of covering a place with a dispersed layer, so it often suggests abundance, decoration, or the aftermath of movement. In modern English it is chiefly literary or archaic, whereas strew is more neutral and common; bestrew, however, gives a sentence a formal, slightly elevated tone. It can also be used figuratively for difficulties, blessings, or other qualities distributed across people or places. Because it is the past form of the older verb bestrow, modern readers encounter it chiefly in earlier writing or deliberately poetic language. It remains useful for describing a scene with a distinctly literary atmosphere.
verbTo strew or scatter something over or upon a surface or area. The word is chiefly used as the past tense or past participle of the older verb bestrow.
- To strew or scatter something over or upon a surface or area.
"Autumn leaves bestrew the narrow path after the storm."
"Autumn leaves bestrew the narrow path after the storm."
"Wildflowers bestrew the hillside in shades of blue and gold."
Bestrew survives mainly in the phrase "bestrewn with," evoking a landscape covered in blossoms, leaves, or light.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does bestrew come from?
Bestrew is the past tense and past participle of the now less common English verb bestrow, meaning "to strew." It developed through Middle English from Old English, combining the prefix be- with a verb meaning "to strew," and is ultimately related to modern English strew. Dutch bestrooien, German bestreuen, and Swedish beströ are close cognates formed from comparable elements.
Related word forms
How bestrew is actually used
Chiefly literary or archaic, and encountered most often in past or participial constructions. It has a more elevated tone than strew.
Easily confused with bestrew
Bestow means to confer or grant something, whereas bestrew means to scatter it over or across a surface.