chew

[ choo ]

/ tʃu /

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See synonyms for: chew / chewed / chewing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to crush or grind with the teeth; masticate.

to crush, damage, injure, etc., as if by chewing (often followed by up): The faulty paper feeder chewed the letters up.

to make by or as if by chewing: The puppy chewed a hole in my slipper.

to meditate on; consider deliberately (often followed by over): He chewed the problem over in his mind.

verb (used without object)

to perform the act of crushing or grinding with the teeth.

Informal. to chew tobacco.

to meditate.

noun

an act or instance of chewing.

something chewed or intended for chewing: a chew of tobacco; taffy chews.

Verb Phrases

chew out, Slang. to scold harshly: The sergeant chewed out the recruits.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about chew

chew the fat, Informal. to converse at length in a relaxed manner; chat: They liked to sit around chewing the fat.Also chew the rag.

Origin of chew

before 1000; Middle English chewen,Old English cēowan; cognate with Old High German kiuwan (German kauen)

OTHER WORDS FROM chew

chewer, nounun·chewed, adjectivewell-chewed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH chew

chews , choose

Words nearby chew

chevron, chevronel, chevrotain, chevy, Chevy Chase, chew, Chewa, chewable, chewie, chewing gum, chewing louse

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use chew in a sentence

The dogs tested a number of flavored and scented chew bones, and either the flavor was too faint, or our dogs are too used to eating actual meaty bones, but they really weren’t interested.
The Best Dog Toys, According to a Musher|cobrien|July 16, 2021|Outside Online
The best dog vitamins come in many different forms—chews, powders, pills, drops—so consider what will be easiest for you to administer and for your dog to ingest.
Best dog vitamins: Nutrients and supplements to boost your pet’s health|Irena Collaku|June 16, 2021|Popular-Science
Two zippered thigh pockets store a phone and a pack of sport chews.
The Best Mountain-Bike Shorts for Women|Kelly Bastone|June 9, 2021|Outside Online
Refreshed hominy is especially toothsome, with a sweet fragrance and an al dente-like chew.
This vegan pozole verde highlights the subtly sweet flavors of corn|Daniela Galarza|May 20, 2021|Washington Post

You might be a fan of some chew or tenderness, which is fine by me because that’s your business, but I want there to be a snap and a crunch each time a strip passes my lips.
The best ways to achieve crispy bacon|Aaron Hutcherson|April 9, 2021|Washington Post
She narrowed her eyes, bit her lip as if to chew over the question, and whisked some stray blond hairs away from her face.
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Was it, as some former employees allege, that the bosses bit off more than they could chew?
The Godfather of Right-Wing Radio|Caitlin Dickson|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We continuously pause to pull them out while Zalwar Khan and his companion smirk at us and chew unbothered.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley|Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She stares at me like I've asked her how she learned to chew solid food.
New York's Sexiest Kosher Corsets|Emily Shire|August 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They chew this thing, a real thing, they do this until they foam at the mouth.
New York’s Tiniest—and Weirdest—Museum|Nina Strochlic|May 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"All right," said Dan, biting off a big chew from the plug he was holding, and restoring the rest to his pocket.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
If the decision had been against a fight, Dan would have put the plug back without taking a chew.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
They both chew and smoke, and they are certainly the dirtiest chewers in the world.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
If they are depressed, they smoke or chew tobacco, and gladden themselves therewith.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Then Chew-chew pointed out many herds and they all danced for joy.
The Later Cave-Men|Katharine Elizabeth Dopp

British Dictionary definitions for chew

chew

/ (tʃuː) /

verb

to work the jaws and teeth in order to grind (food); masticate

to bite repeatedlyshe chewed her nails anxiously

(intr) to use chewing tobacco

chew the fat or chew the rag slang

to argue over a point
to talk idly; gossip

noun

the act of chewing

something that is cheweda chew of tobacco

Derived forms of chew

chewable, adjectivechewer, noun

Word Origin for chew

Old English ceowan; related to Old High German kiuwan, Dutch kauwen, Latin gingīva a gum

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with chew

chew

In addition to the idioms beginning with chew

chew out
chew the cud
chew the fat

also see:

bite off more than one can chew

chew

Idioms about chew

Origin of chew

OTHER WORDS FROM chew

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH chew

Words nearby chew

Words related to chew

How to use chew in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for chew

Derived forms of chew

Word Origin for chew

Other Idioms and Phrases with chew