hewed

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   cut something with a heavy tool such as an axe or a sword.

   Grammar: Takes an object: hew wood, hew a path. The past tense is hewed, past participle hewed or hewn.

   Patterns

   • hew something from something
   • hew something down
   • hew something into something

   The settlers hewed logs from the tall pines to build their cabins.

   He hewed a rough path through the dense undergrowth.

   They hewed the stone into blocks for the new wall.

2. 2verbintransitiveformal

   strongly follow or stick to a principle, rule, or belief.

   Grammar: No object; usually followed by to: hew to tradition. Common in formal or journalistic writing.

   Patterns

   • hew to something

   The judge hewed to the letter of the law despite public pressure.

   She hewed to her family's traditions even after moving abroad.

Word forms

Common combinations

hew wood

They spent the morning hewing wood for the winter fire.

hew a path

The explorers hewed a path through the jungle.

hew to tradition

The community hewed to tradition in its annual festival.

rough-hewn

The table was made of rough-hewn timber.

Synonyms and how they differ

chop

Chop means cut into pieces with repeated blows, often for food or firewood; hew suggests shaping or cutting with more deliberate, heavy strokes.

carve

Carve means cut a shape or pattern, usually with a knife and for artistic effect; hew is rougher and uses an axe or similar tool.

adhere

Adhere to a rule is more formal and neutral than hew to, which suggests determined loyalty.

Word family

hew verb

Base form: cut with heavy blows.

hewer noun

A person who cuts wood or stone.

hewn adjective

Cut and shaped, especially of stone or wood.

Commonly confused: hewed or hued? hewed or hew?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “hewed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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