chewy

American  

[choo-ee] / ˈtʃu i /

adjective

chewier, chewiest

1. (of food) not easily chewed, as because of toughness or stickiness; requiring much chewing.

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chewy British  

/ ˈtʃuːɪ /

adjective

1. of a consistency requiring chewing; somewhat firm and sticky

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Other Word Forms

• chewiness noun

Etymology

Origin of chewy

First recorded in 1920–25; chew + -y ¹

Explanation

Chewy things have a springy quality when you grind them between your teeth. When you get braces, you have to avoid chewy foods like hard bagels and sticky toffee. Chewy things really give your jaws a workout when you eat them. Foods as varied as pizza crusts, overcooked meat, and dried apricots all have one thing in common: You have to chew them well before swallowing, and there's a firmness or stickiness between your teeth as you eat. Chewy comes from chew and its Old English root, ceowan.

Example Sentences

Sugar confection—think gummies and chewy candy—has taken share, and their bold flavors continue to attract younger consumers.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

The Taiwanese beverage, which blends black tea, milk, sugar, and chewy tapioca pearls, has spread worldwide since it first appeared in the 1980s.

From Science Daily • Mar. 1, 2026

I love the chewy, bouncy texture it creates in baked goods.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

The trend has also sparked online chatter among gig workers on whether hardware stores and cleaning companies should also start cashing in on Dubai chewy cookies, The Korea Herald reported.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

The pink powdered-sugar squares are soft and chewy.

From "Towers Falling" by Jewell Parker Rhodes