Due vs. Dew — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on January 26, 2024
"Due" refers to something owed or expected at a certain time, often related to payments or obligations. "Dew" is moisture condensed from air, typically found on cool surfaces in the morning.
Difference Between Due and Dew
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Due: The term 'due' is commonly used in the context of time, referring to something expected or scheduled to happen at a specific time or date. Dew: 'Dew' refers to the small drops of water that form on cool surfaces overnight, resulting from the condensation of atmospheric moisture.
Due: In financial contexts, 'due' denotes an owed payment that must be paid by a certain date. Dew: Dew forms in natural environments and is often seen on grass, leaves, and other surfaces in the early morning or evening.
Due: The word 'due' can also express direction, as in something moving or facing toward a particular point. Dew: Dew is a weather-related phenomenon and plays a role in the water cycle, hydrating plants and grasses.
Due: In a broader sense, 'due' can imply appropriateness or deservedness in a situation, such as giving someone their due respect. Dew: Dew is not just a natural occurrence; it's often referenced in poetry and literature to symbolize freshness, purity, or new beginnings.
Due: The usage of 'due' is versatile, extending to legal, financial, and everyday language. Dew: While dew is a simple natural phenomenon, its presence can indicate specific weather conditions, like clear skies and calm weather at night.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Something scheduled or expected
Moisture condensed from air
Common Contexts
Time, financial obligations, direction, merit
Nature, weather, poetry, symbolism
Nature
Conceptual (time-bound, directional, etc.)
Physical (natural phenomenon)
Role
Indicates obligation or expectation
Indicates certain weather conditions, hydrates plants
Symbolism
Can symbolize responsibility or entitlement
Often symbolizes freshness, purity
Compare with Definitions
Due
Due means expected at a certain time.
The rent is due on the first of every month.
Dew
Dew is moisture from the air that condenses on cool surfaces.
The grass was covered with dew this morning.
Due
Due can refer to a payment that is owed.
Her credit card payment was due last week.
Dew
Dew hydrates plants and grass.
The morning dew helps the flowers in my garden.
Due
Due also denotes direction, as in "due north."
The hikers headed due east to reach the campsite.
Dew
Dew can indicate clear, calm weather conditions.
The presence of dew suggests there were no clouds last night.
Due
Due is used in legal terms, like "due process."
The defendants right to due process was upheld.
Dew
Dew often appears in the early hours or at night.
Dew formed on the windows overnight.
Due
Due can imply something deserved.
He finally received the recognition due for his hard work.
Dew
Dew is referenced in literature for its purity.
Poets often compare dew to new beginnings.
Due
Payable immediately or on demand.
Dew
Water droplets condensed from the air, usually at night, onto cool surfaces.
Due
Owed as a debt; owing
The amount still due.
Dew
Something moist, fresh, pure, or renewing
"The timely dew of sleep / ... inclines / Our eye-lids" (John Milton).
Due
In accord with right, convention, or courtesy; appropriate
Due esteem.
All due respect.
Dew
Moisture, as in the form of tears or perspiration, that appears in small drops.
Due
Meeting special requirements; sufficient
We have due cause to honor them.
Dew
To wet with or as if with dew.
Due
Expected or scheduled, especially appointed to arrive
Their plane is due in 15 minutes.
Dew
(uncountable) Any moisture from the atmosphere condensed by cool bodies upon their surfaces.
Due
Expected to give birth.
Dew
(uncountable) Moisture in the air that settles on plants, etc in the morning or evening, resulting in drops.
Due
Anticipated; looked for
A long due promotion.
Dew
An instance of such moisture settling on plants, etc.
There was a heavy dew this morning.
Due
Expecting or ready for something as part of a normal course or sequence
We're due for some rain. This batter is due for another hit.
Dew
(figurative) Anything that falls lightly and in a refreshing manner.
Due
Entitled to
I always give people the respect that they are due.
Dew
(figurative) An emblem of morning, or fresh vigour.
Due
Capable of being attributed. See Usage Note at due to.
Dew
To wet with, or as if with, dew; to moisten.
Due
Something owed or deserved
You finally received your due.
Dew
Moisture from the atmosphere condensed by cool bodies upon their surfaces, particularly at night.
Her tears fell with the dews at even.
Due
Dues A charge or fee for membership, as in a club or organization.
Dew
Figuratively, anything which falls lightly and in a refreshing manner.
Due
Straight; directly
Go due west.
Dew
An emblem of morning, or fresh vigor.
Due
(Archaic) Duly.
Dew
To wet with dew or as with dew; to bedew; to moisten; as with dew.
The grasses grewA little ranker since they dewed them so.
Due
Owed or owing.
He is due four weeks of back pay.
The amount due is just three quid.
The due bills total nearly seven thousand dollars.
He can wait for the amount due him.
Dew
Same as Due, or Duty.
Due
Appropriate.
With all due respect, you're wrong about that.
Dew
Water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air;
In the morning the grass was wet with dew
Due
Scheduled; expected.
Rain is due this afternoon.
The train is due in five minutes.
When is your baby due?
Due
Having reached the expected, scheduled, or natural time.
The baby is just about due.
Due
Owing; ascribable, as to a cause.
The dangerously low water table is due to rapidly growing pumping.
Due
On a direct bearing, especially for the four points of the compass
The town is 5 miles due North of the bridge.
Due
(used with compass directions) Directly; exactly.
The river runs due north for about a mile.
Due
Deserved acknowledgment.
Give him his due — he is a good actor.
Due
(in plural dues) A membership fee.
Due
That which is owed; debt; that which belongs or may be claimed as a right; whatever custom, law, or morality requires to be done, duty.
Due
Right; just title or claim.
Due
Owed, as a debt; that ought to be paid or done to or for another; payable; owing and demandable.
Due
Justly claimed as a right or property; proper; suitable; becoming; appropriate; fit.
Her obedience, which is due to me.
With dirges due, in sad array,Slow through the churchway path we saw him borne.
Due
Such as (a thing) ought to be; fulfilling obligation; proper; lawful; regular; appointed; sufficient; exact; as, due process of law; due service; in due time.
Due
Appointed or required to arrive at a given time; as, the steamer was due yesterday.
Due
Owing; ascribable, as to a cause.
This effect is due to the attraction of the sun.
Due
Directly; exactly; as, a due east course.
Due
That which is owed; debt; that which one contracts to pay, or do, to or for another; that which belongs or may be claimed as a right; whatever custom, law, or morality requires to be done; a fee; a toll.
He will give the devil his due.
Yearly little dues of wheat, and wine, and oil.
Due
Right; just title or claim.
The key of this infernal pit by due . . . I keep.
Due
To endue.
Due
That which is deserved or owed;
Give the devil his due
Due
A payment that is due (e.g., as the price of membership);
The society dropped him for non-payment of dues
Due
Owed and payable immediately or on demand;
Payment is due
Due
Proper and appropriate; fitting;
Richly deserved punishment
Due esteem
Due
Scheduled to arrive;
The train is due in 15 minutes
Due
Suitable to or expected in the circumstances;
All due respect
Due cause to honor them
A long due promotion
In due course
Due
Reasonable in the circumstances;
Gave my comments due consideration
Exercising due care
Due
Directly or exactly; straight;
Went due North
Common Curiosities
Can due refer to a sense of direction?
Yes, due can refer to a compass direction, like due north.
Is due used in legal contexts?
Yes, due is used in legal contexts, such as in the term due process, which refers to fair treatment through the judicial system.
How does dew form?
Dew forms when the air temperature drops to the dew point, causing moisture in the air to condense on cool surfaces.
How can due denote merit?
Due can denote merit by referring to something that is deserved or appropriate, like giving someone their due respect.
Can dew be artificially created?
Dew can be artificially created in controlled environments where temperature and humidity are manipulated to induce condensation.
What does due mean in terms of deadlines?
In terms of deadlines, due refers to the expected date or time by which something must be completed or paid.
What is the significance of dew in gardening?
Dew provides essential moisture to plants, especially in dry conditions, aiding in their growth and health.
Does due have financial implications?
Yes, in financial contexts, due refers to payments that need to be made by a certain date.
What does due to mean?
Due to is a phrase used to indicate causation or the reason for something happening.
In what scenarios is due commonly used?
Due is commonly used in scenarios involving deadlines, payments, directions, legal rights, and recognizing merit or entitlement.
What role does dew play in the water cycle?
Dew plays a role in the water cycle by redistributing water from the air to the ground, contributing to hydration of the ecosystem.
What weather conditions prevent dew formation?
Dry, windy, or very cold conditions can prevent dew formation, as they reduce air moisture or prevent cooling to the dew point.
Does due have a positive or negative connotation?
The connotation of due can vary depending on the context; it can be neutral (as in due north), positive (due respect), or implying obligation (payment due).
Can dew be found at any time of the day?
Dew is typically found in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler.
Is dew only associated with morning time?
Dew is most commonly associated with morning, but it can form any time when conditions are right, typically at night or in the early hours.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
