First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1chew
verb \ˈchü\
: to use your teeth to cut food into small pieces before you swallow it
: to bite on (something) repeatedly with the teeth
: to make (something, such as a hole) by chewing
Full Definition of CHEW
transitive verb
1
: to crush, grind, or gnaw (as food) with or as if with the teeth : masticate
2
: to injure, destroy, or consume as if by chewing —usually used with up <chewing up profits>
intransitive verb
: to chew something; specifically : to chew tobacco
— chew·able \-ə-bəl\ adjective
— chew·er noun
— chewy \ˈchü-ē\ adjective
— chew on
: to think about : ponder <chewing on the new developments>
— chew the fat also chew the rag
: to make friendly familiar conversation : chat
See chew defined for English-language learners
See chew defined for kids
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Origin of CHEW
Middle English, from Old English cēowan; akin to Old High German kiuwan to chew, Russian zhevat'
Related to CHEW
- Synonyms
- champ, chaw, bite (on), chomp (on), crunch (on), gnaw (on), masticate, nibble
2chew
noun
: the act of chewing something
: something that a person or animal chews
Full Definition of CHEW
1
: the act of chewing
2
: something for chewing
See chew defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CHEW
13th century
CHEW Defined for Kids
1chew
verb \ˈchü\
chewedchew·ing
Definition of CHEW for Kids
: to crush or grind with the teeth <chewing food>
2chew
noun
Definition of CHEW for Kids
1
: the act of crushing or grinding with the teeth
2
: something that a person or animal chews <a dog's rawhide chew>
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