verb

strew

STROO/struː/

To scatter things loosely over a surface.

The person strews flower petals loosely along the garden path.

An adult scatters flower petals loosely across a garden path from a basket, petals irregularly distributed rather than arranged.

Etymology

strewOld Englishto scatter, spread loosely

Strewian survives in the sense of scattering things about or spreading them loosely. The central idea is distribution over an area, rather than gathering things into one place.

In context

Enhanced Public Domain191:25

we are to strew the city with flowers and Adorn it as for a festive celebration

Alexander the Great Biography (Audiobook)

More examples

Strong winds strewed broken branches across the lawn.
Someone has strewn dirty clothes all over the bedroom floor.
We strew fresh straw across the floor of the chicken coop.

Forms

strew · strews · strewed · strewn · strewing

Similar words

scatter: Scatter emphasizes spreading things apart, not necessarily covering a surface.
sprinkle: Sprinkle suggests scattering small amounts or fine particles lightly.
litter: Litter suggests leaving unwanted objects scattered messily across a place.