chew

[choo]

verb (used with object)

1. to crush or grind with the teeth; masticate.

2. to crush, damage, injure, etc., as if by chewing (often followed byup ).

   The faulty paper feeder chewed the letters up.

3. to make by or as if by chewing.

   The puppy chewed a hole in my slipper.

4. to meditate on; consider deliberately (often followed byover ).

   He chewed the problem over in his mind.

verb (used without object)

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

2. Informal.,  to chew tobacco.

3. to meditate.

noun

1. an act or instance of chewing.

2. something chewed or intended for chewing.

   a chew of tobacco; taffy chews.

verb phrase

1. chew out,  to scold harshly.

   The sergeant chewed out the recruits.

chew

/ tʃuː /

verb

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

2. to bite repeatedly

   she chewed her nails anxiously

3. (intr) to use chewing tobacco

4. slang

   1. to argue over a point

   2. to talk idly; gossip

noun

1. the act of chewing

2. something that is chewed

   a chew of tobacco

Other Word Forms

• chewer noun
• unchewed adjective
• well-chewed adjective
• chewable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chew¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of chew¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. chew the fat, to converse at length in a relaxed manner; chat: Also chew the rag.

   They liked to sit around chewing the fat.

More idioms and phrases containing chew

• bite off more than one can chew

Example Sentences

But as the project expanded, Mr Patherya realised there was one problem he had not foreseen, beyond squirrels chewing through the wires.

From BBC

And the question is more: Is he biting off way more than he can chew and his staff can chew?

From Los Angeles Times

“If you miss something big and a competitor releases it first? Then you’re getting chewed out by your boss.”

From Los Angeles Times

It’s yet to be seen if a sizable swath of America will forgo the Signature Saucy Chicken Sandwich in protest, constituting another national crisis to chew on.

From Los Angeles Times

The one molar she had left had no chewing surface, she said, meaning she could only eat soft food.

From BBC

Related Words

• bite 
• chomp 
• gnaw 
• nibble